Preparations Underway for Broad Meeting in Moscow on a Settlement in Syria- Bogdanov

MOSCOW- Russia is participating in preparations for a new broad meeting of representatives from all of Syria’s political forces for a settlement of the conflict in that country, Russian presidential representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has told the media, Itar Tass reported.

“Yes, it is right to say that preparations for such a meeting are in progress,” he said, when asked if the contacts with the Syrian opposition in Moscow this week indicated there were plans for conducting more broad talks on a settlement in Syria.

“We have drawn up lists of participants in such a meeting. We are planning to exchange them with the United States or Saudi Arabia,” he added.

Should the need arise, he added, “we will hold more contacts in Moscow and in Damascus and possibly some other place.”

“We have had no plans for the immediate future so far, but they may emerge,” he remarked.

“Russia is prepared to host a Moscow-3 meeting,” he said.

Two inter-Syrian consultative meetings of government officials and also of external and internal opposition of that country (Moscow-1 and Moscow-2) were held last January and April in Moscow. They produced what was promptly dubbed as “Moscow principles,” including the parameters of settling the conflict, such as the preservation of Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity and the struggle with terrorism.”

H.M