Meeting on Syria in Astana
The Syrian opposition left the meeting room due to the lack of diplomatic experience. This was stated by the special representative of the President of Russia on the Syrian settlement, Alexander Lavrentiev. His words Thursday, may 4, quoted by TASS.
“I would characterize this simply as an element of expansiveness and lack of experience in political and diplomatic work, — explained the diplomat. — I don’t think this will affect the further development of events in Syria.”
Earlier, the representative of the Syrian opposition said that the withdrawal of its representatives from the talks was a sign of protest against the possible division of the country and Iran’s participation in the agreement as a guarantor state.
Memorandum on the establishment of a de-escalation was signed in Astana on Thursday, 4th may. On the Russian side the document was signed by special representative of the President on the Syrian settlement, Alexander Lavrentiev, Turkish — Deputy foreign Minister Sedat Onal, from Iran — Tehran his colleague Hossein Ansari.
Earlier on 4 may it was reported that Russia, Iran and Turkey have reached consensus on all paragraphs of the agreement. The next meeting was planned to take place in June and finalized by the time some items of the Memorandum, however, the work could be completed early.
3 may in Sochi, Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the creation of four zones to reduce tensions: in Idlib province, to the North of the city of HOMS, Eastern ghouta and in the South of the country.