Lavrentyev: Astana Talks on Syria in Sochi Focus on Return of Syrian Refugees Home

SOCHI, (ST)-Russian President’s Special Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev has stressed that the first day of talks on Syria in Astana format that are currently underway in Russia’s Sochi city focused on the return of the Syrian refugees home and on the humanitarian aspect, noting that the talks are held in a constructive atmosphere.

In a statement to reporters on Monday, Lavrentyev said it is the European countries’ interest to offer help in the issue of the Syrian refugees’ return to their home and efforts in this regard should not be impeded.

 He pointed out that two months ago, Syria handed the ambassadors of Russia and Iran in Damascus a list containing the names of the government-supported members of the committee in charge of discussing the current Syrian constitution, while the “opposition” handed its list two weeks ago. He said that the concerned sides will later agree on how the committee will work in future.

A two-day high-level international meeting on Syria began in Russia’s Black Sea resort city of Sochi on Monday with the participation of the Syrian Arab Republic delegation, led by Dr. Bashar Al-Jaafari, in addition to other delegations, including the UN and the “opposition”.  The meeting is co-chaired by the three guarantor countries of the cessation of Hostilities agreement in Syria, namely Russia, Iran and Turkey.

Syrian Arab Republic Delegation Meets Russian, Iranian Delegations

On the first day of the meeting, The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic held a meeting with the Iranian delegation led by Hussein Jaberi Ansari, Iranian Assistant Foreign Minister for Political Affairs and another meeting with the Russian delegation led by Alexander Lavrentyev, the Russian President’s Special Envoy for Syria.

 Earlier, The Russian delegation held a meeting with the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura within the framework of bilateral meetings between the guarantor countries of Astana Process (Russia, Iran and Turkey) and the other participating delegations.

Astana, the Kazakh capital, had hosted nine rounds of talks on Syria, the latest of which was held on May 14 and 15. During this meeting the three guarantor countries renewed their commitment to preserving Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and to continue the war on terrorist organizations until it terrorism is completely eliminated.

Hamda Mustafa