Sixth Round of Intra-Syrian Talks in Geneva…Russia Supports Constructive Discussion of Entire Agenda

GENEVA, (ST)- The sixth round of Geneva Intra-Syrian Talks kicked off on Tuesday with the participation of the Syrian Arab Republic’s delegation led by Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari.

The delegation held two meetings with the US Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura at the UN headquarters.

The delegation also held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov during which the two sides discussed the current round of intra-Syrian dialogue and stressed the importance of such meetings which come within the framework of continuous consultations and coordination between the Syrian and Russian sides.

 De Mistura affirmed in a press conference on Monday in Geneva, that the new round of Syrian-Syrian talks would be important in light of Astana memorandum on the de-escalation zones in the country.

He said that it is fair to say that this meeting will be different from previous meetings, and that all delegations will be present and all parties had agreed on the agenda adopted in the two previous rounds and agreed on four baskets that are all important and will be discussed in a balanced manner.

Moscow favors discussion on entire agenda of Syria talks in Geneva

Meanwhile in Moscow, the Russian foreign ministry said that Russia supports constructive discussion of the entire agenda of the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva, including issues of the constitution and anti-terrorism efforts, Itar Tass reported.

The ministry was commenting on Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov’s separate consultations with the delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic and the Moscow platform of the opposition on the sidelines of the Geneva talks.

According to the ministry, the two delegations highly assessed Russia’s role in the efforts to find ways of settling the crisis in Syria and expressed readiness to maintain regular contacts.

Gatilov arrived in Geneva earlier on Tuesday to hold consultations on the sidelines of the intra-Syrian talks. He met with de Mistura and with the delegations of the Syrian government and the Moscow platform of the Syrian opposition. Consultations will be continued on May 17.

Hamda Mustafa