Fourth Round of Geneva Intra-Syrian Talks Concluded with Four-Basket Agenda that Includes Fighting Terrorism

GENEVA, (ST)- The UN Chief’s Special Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura has announced the conclusion of the fourth round of Intra-Syrian Talks in Geneva after reaching a clear agenda for the talks.

In a press conference on Friday, De Mistura said the talks were “positive and constructive.”

He clarified that the agenda included four baskets. The fourth one was added upon the request of the Syrian Arab Republic’s delegation and it  included a strategy for fighting terrorism, he said, noting an agreement on a mechanism through which the four baskets will be dealt with in a parallel way.

 According to de Mistura the first basket includes issues relating to establishing credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance within six months, the second includes all issues that de Mistura hopes will be accomplished also within six months in order to set a timetable, the third includes issues relating to holding elections after drafting a constitution within 18 months and the fourth and final basket has to do with fighting terrorism.

“I expect the parties to go ahead with setting up a framework agreement that includes a political package for the process of political negotiations that must lead to implementing the Security Council Resolution 2254,” said de Mistura.

“We noticed progress in this round of talks and a need for forming one opposition delegation,” He added, stressing continuous efforts in this respect.

The UN envoy went on to say that the invitation of the participants for a fifth round of talks depends on instructions by the UN chief and the Security Council.

“We are ready to hold technical talks and form joint work teams or committees to continue working during the periods separating between the rounds of talks, de Mistura said, pointing out that he feels that all parties are ready for the dialogue.

De Mistura affirmed that “Astana and Geneva efforts are integrated. We have supported the cessation of hostilities and sought direct talks between the parties in both Astana and Geneva, but we noticed that maybe it would be more feasible to continue with indirect talks.”

He reiterated that “solution in Syria can only be a political one that takes the aspirations of the Syrian people into consideration.”

He pointed out that the Russian delegation to Geneva was keen on pushing the political track ahead starting from its belief that Astana meeting will reflect positively on Geneva talks and vice versa.

Earlier in the day, the UN envoy met with the Cairo and Moscow opposition groups in addition to the Syrian Arab Republic’s delegation led by Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Bashar al-Jaafari.

In the morning, al-Jaafari held talks with the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov and a number of Russian officials.

The two sides expressed satisfaction over the course of the Geneva talks despite attempts by some parties to foil them. 

Moscow Platform Urges Forming Unified Opposition Delegation

Moreover, Moscow platform opposition delegation stressed that listing the basket of fighting terrorism in the agenda of the Intra-Syrian Talks in Geneva was essential, urging forming unified opposition delegation based on rapprochement.

Hamza Monzer, head of the Moscow Platform delegation to Geneva  talks, said in a press conference following the delegation’s meeting with de Mistura that “we expressed our viewpoints on all issues and reiterated the need to discuss the proposed baskets in a parallel way, including the basket relating fighting terrorism.” He stressed support for listing this basket as a main item for discussion in the talks.

Monzer pointed out that those hindering the political process should be blamed for prolonging the suffering of the Syrian people from terrorism.

He stressed the need to continue exerting efforts leading to forming a “unified opposition delegation” based on rapprochement.

On his part, Jihad Makdisi, Head of the Cairo Platform’s opposition delegation to Geneva talks, said in a similar news conference that  the delegation accepted de Mistura’s procedural document and also accepted adding a basket to the agenda as long as long as the four baskets will be dealt with in a parallel way.

 He added that progress can be achieved when the international community honestly seeks having all parties sitting to the negotiation table.

Hamda Mustafa