Syria Opposition Cairo Group Welcomes Possible Conflict Settlement Talks

Jihad Makdissi, leader of the Cairo group of the Syrian opposition, stated that the role of the Russian Federation is essential in the Syrian peace process.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Cairo group of the Syrian opposition welcomes the possibility of a meeting between the Syrian conflicting parties in Astana as a complimentary element to the Geneva peace process, the group's leader Jihad Makdissi told Sputnik on Tuesday.

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed in a phone call the possibility of a meeting between the Syrian conflicting parties in Kazakhstan’s capital. Putin believes that Astana talks may serve as a supplement to the Geneva process.

"I think that the role of the Russian Federation is essential in the Syrian peace process. So I do endorse the [possible] regional summit in Astana and the result that would come out of it," Makdissi said.

Date of the meeting has not been discussed yet, as it will depend on the positions of Damascus and the Syrian opposition whether the negotiations will take place or not, Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov said earlier in the day.

"Regardless of the place, the Geneva communique and UNSCR 2254 will always be the reference and the roadmap for any potential settlement in Syria, and I know that the Russian government is on the same page when it comes to the reference of the peace process in Syria," Makdissi added.

On Monday, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said he intends to convene negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition in Geneva on February 8.

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