"The United States and Russia urged the UN to prepare a proposal for political transition based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and input given by the Syrian parties in previous rounds of intra-Syrian talks and in subsequent technical consultations," the statement said. "This proposal should serve as the starting point for future negotiations."
UN Special Envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura earlier in the day called the meeting with US Special Envoy for Syria Michael Ratney and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov in Geneva “fruitful.”
“In addition, the United States emphasized the need to restore compliance with the terms of the cessation of hostilities — particularly in Aleppo city — as well as the need to improve humanitarian access, as positive progress in these areas would significantly improve the prospects for successful talks,” the release added.
The parties also discussed the possibility of calling the next round of the intra-Syrian talks, according to the State Department.
Syria has been mired in civil war since March 2011, with government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups.
The Syrian government delegation, as well as three opposition groups — the Riyadh-formed HNC, the Moscow-Cairo and the Hmeymim groups — have been taking part in the UN-mediated Geneva talks on peaceful settlement of the conflict.
The latest round of the talks took place in Geneva on April 13-27. The HNC walked out of the negotiations, citing the continuous fighting in Syria and the lack of progress on humanitarian issues.
