Next Round of Syria Peace Talks Will Focus on Elections, New Constitution

Syrian peace talks in Geneva on March 14 will focus on the constitution and future elections, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said Wednesday.

MOSCOW, March 9 (Sputnik) — Substantive talks on the Syrian peace process in the Swiss city are due to begin by March 14.

"And at the same time, let me be very clear, when we start having the talks on Monday, God willing, the focus will be on substance, on the agendas, in other words in new governance, constitution, and the future elections in 18 months time, both presidential and parliamentarian," de Mistura told journalists.

He said he would not be present at the upcoming meeting.

"No, I'm not. I think that John Kerry's doing extremely supportive work on what we've been trying to do…my job is trying to prepare how well the talks [are held]," he added.

Talks between the Syrian government and representatives of the country's opposition factions began in Geneva on January 29. On February 3, de Mistura decided to postpone the talks as the parties were unable to reach a compromise on a number of issues. The opposition and government delegations blamed each other for the breakdown of the talks.