Russian, Syrian diplomats discuss possibility for more intra-Syrian talks in Moscow

MOSCOW, October 27. /TASS/. Possibility for organizing more intra-Syrian contacts in Moscow was in focus of talks between Russian president’s special envoy for the Middle East and North African and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Syrian Ambassador to Moscow Riyad Haddad, the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday. "The two diplomats discussed in detail various aspects of the current situation in and around Syria," the ministry said. "Special attention was focused on the task of launching sustainable political process towards the soonest settlement of the Syrian crisis." "The sides also discussed current issues of Russian-Syrian relations, including a possibility of organizing another round of intra-Syrian contacts in Moscow," the ministry said. Moscow hosted two rounds of intra-Syrian talks involving representatives of various opposition groups and the Syrian authorities in January and April 2015. The Russian foreign ministry has repeatedly said Moscow was ready to serve as a venue for further contacts. Prospects for the organization of a representative delegation of the Syrian opposition for talks with the government was in focus of recent discussions, both during personal meetings and telephone conversations, between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and top-ranking officials from countries of the U.S.-led anti-Islamic State coalition. Read more