The delegations from Russia, Turkey, UN and Lebanon have gathered in Astana to discuss developments in Syria, Mehr News reported. On Tuesday, the sides held several separate meetings on humanitarian aid to the repatriation of the refugees as well as paving the way for Syrian reconstruction.
Ali-Asghar Khaji, an Iranian representative from the Foreign Ministry, held separate meetings with the Russian and Turkish delegations. Another meeting in the frame of the Astana peace process has started on Tuesday in Nur-Sultan (former Astana), Kazakhstan.
On Monday, the international delegations came to the Kazakh capital to participate at the 14th meetings of Astana peace process, which kicked off.
The representatives from the UN, Russia, Turkey and Lebanon have shared their opinions on the latest developments in northern Syria, especially in Euphrates and Idlib. Other important issues like a Constitution Committee and extradition of detainees also were discussed during the meetings on Tuesday.
Russia warns illegal US presence in Syria abuses natural resources
Delegates of Turkey, Iran and Russia have started the 14th round of the peace talks. For Russia, the issue of a safe zone in northern Syria and the presence of the US are crucial.
“A cease-fire in Idlib is possible with only those sides who believe in a political solution, not those who believe in a military solution,” said Alexander Lavrentiev, special envoy to Syria, in Kazakhstan’s capital Nur Sultan.
The envoy said the agreed-upon safe zone in Syria’s Ras al-Ayn and Tal Abyad is 120 km and this should not be extended.
Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating eight-year-long conflict. In 2011, the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected severity and devastating consequences not for Syria only but for Europe as well.
