Syrian Government Delegation, UN Envoy Meet Prior to Astana talks

The Syrian Arab Republic delegation to Astana held a meeting with UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura on Monday to discuss the final arrangements prior to the beginning of the Syrian peace talks in Khazakhstan's capital.

Syrian state news agency, SANA, said the meeting between the Syrian government delegation and de Mistura dealt with the necessity of good preparation and final arrangement prior to Astana meeting.

The meeting was held as the Syrian government and the opposition groups have gathered in Kazakhstan's capital in a new push to end the six-year conflict. It remains unclear whether the delegations will meet face-to-face as both sides diverge on the goals of the talks.

Representatives from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government and the opposition assembled in Astana, Kazakhstan on Monday for the first talks in a year.

Although it is the first time the two sides have come together since the United Nations-brokered negotiations in Geneva were suspended last year, it remains to be seen whether the delegations will speak directly to one another.

Speaking hours before the talks were scheduled to start, Kazakh Deputy Foreign Minister Roman Vassilenko said the parties had not yet agreed to hold face-to-face meetings.
 [farsnews.com]
23/1/17