Germany’s Steinmeier Says Upset About Stalled Syria Peace Talks

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned the nationwide ceasefire in Syria was shaky and would not survive long without progress in the Syrian political process.

BERLIN (Sputnik) — German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Friday he was dissatisfied with lack of progress in putting Syria peace talks in Geneva back on track.

The UN-backed proximity negotiations between the Syrian government and opposition factions were put on hold for the holy Muslim month of Ramadan in June after the previous round ended in April.

"The situation can be described as anything but satisfactory," Steinmeier told reporters in Berlin. "There has been no return to Geneva [talks] yet."

He warned the nationwide ceasefire in Syria was shaky and would not survive long without progress in the Syrian political process.

The restart of the political dialog at the UN’s Geneva Office will dominate the meeting between Steinmeier and UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura later on Friday, according to a statement issued by the German Foreign Office.