GENEVA (Sputnik) — UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said on Tuesday the atmosphere at the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva had changed for the better.
"Atmosphere at the talks has changed… Proximity talks continue in atmosphere of mutual respect. The reason is, I believe, because everyone has an interest in maintaining cessation of hostilities," de Mistura told reporters.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with forces loyal to President Bashar Assad's government fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups.
On February 22, Russia and the United States reached an agreement on a ceasefire in Syria. The ceasefire took effect on February 27 and is generally holding across the country despite reported minor violations.
Geneva is currently hosting proximity talks between a government delegation and three Syrian opposition delegations.
