Russian diplomat says Moscow-drafted Syrian constitution means invitation to discussion

MOSCOW, February 27. /TASS/. The Russian-drafted Syrian constitution is not the absolute truth but an invitation to a discussion, Russian Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said on Monday at the Sixth Conference of the Valdai Discussion Forum’s Middle East Dialogue. "I would like to note that this document is not the absolute truth, but an attempt to unify the common approaches that the parties share," he said addressing the conference dubbed "The Middle East: When Will Tomorrow Come?" "This document should be viewed as an invitation to a meaningful discussion between the Syrians who will have to decide the future of their country themselves." "The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, adopted in December 2015, still remains the key element of and the internationally recognized basis for settling the Syrian crisis," Bogdanov went on to say. "It stipulates the priorities of multilateral efforts and calls for cooperation and talks between the Syrian government and all the opposition groups. The document also reflects our principal approach to the ways of solving the Syrian crisis, which remains unchanged. We believe that only the Syrian people have the right to decide their future, including the future of President Bashar al-Assad, while foreign interference is unacceptable." The high-ranking Russian diplomat expressed support for the Geneva political process. "We support the resumed intra-Syrian talks under the auspices of the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura," Bogdanov said. "We believe that these talks should be broad and inclusive, as the UN Security Council Resolution 2254 envisages." Read more