The ministry’s official spokesman Alexander Lukashevich told reporters that Moscow has been engaged in active diplomatic efforts to launch a broad Syrian reconciliation dialogue.
“Russia’s initiative to hold a meeting in Moscow absolutely does not replace the internationally recognized basis for the Syrian reconciliation,” he said.
The official described the event as “a consultative and preparatory meeting and contacts between representatives of moderate Syrian opposition and the Syrian government.”
Two international conferences on Syrian reconciliation took place in Geneva in June 2012 and January 2014 but produced no major results.
On Wednesday, a diplomatic source told RIA Novosti that a wide spectrum of Syrian opposition would be invited to the conference, which is expected to last four days.
Syria has been engulfed in a bloody civil war since March 2011 with the country's government fighting various insurgent groups, including the Islamic State. According to the United Nations, the conflict currently is the largest refugee crisis in the world and has claimed over 200,000 lives and forced millions to flee to neighboring countries, with the largest numbers of refugees arriving in Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and Iraq.
