National dialogue congress to help Syrians discuss constitution and elections - Russia’s chief negotiator

ASTANA, October 31. /TASS/. Moscow hopes that participants in the congress of the Syrian national dialogue in Sochi will discuss issues related to the country’s new constitution and elections, Russian president’s special envoy on Syria and head of Russia’s delegation to the Astana peace talks Alexander Lavrentyev said on Tuesday. "We hope this forum will make it possible to gather all at a negotiating table to discuss what is to be done in future," he told a news conference. "How to launch a constitutional reform, what is to be done to waste no time and adopt a new constitution and hold UN-monitored parliamentary and presidential elections. It would be very useful." He noted that the Syrian ceasefire guarantor nations (Russia, Iran and Turkey) had expressed support to this initiative in a joint statement after the Astana meeting. "I would like to call on representatives of various groups of the armed opposition not to miss the chance to come to Russia and speak out their point of view, to take part in the efforts towards a political solution. I would demonstrate that the Syrian armed opposition is set for a constructive dialogue," Lavrentyev stressed. Read more