Kerry Says Vienna Talks Offer “Most Promising Opportunity” for Political Opening

WASHINGTON-(ST) U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry believes that this week’s international talks on Syria in Vienna will be the best chance for political opening.

AFP cited Kerry as saying yesterday during a speech on America’s Middle East policy at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace before leaving to Vienna, that “the United States and Russia share common ground,” arguing that both want “a united, secular Syria in which citizens can choose their own leader through elections.”

“Our stances are identical on the achievement of this goal and Syria can only be saved trough political settlement,” Kerry said.

He pointed out that Vienna talks would not secure an immediate political solution, but nevertheless they represent the best hope available.

“Ultimately, to defeat Daesh, we have to end the war in Syria, Kerry stressed, using a term for the ISIL terrorist organization based on its Arabic acronym.

The Vienna discussions this week will also see Iran’s participation for the first time. Iran has confirmed that its Foreign Minister Javad Zarif will be attending.

Russia, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Turkey will be joined by Britain, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Lebanon and the European Union at this week’s meetings.

Hamda Hustafa