The 21st international meeting on conflict resolution in Syria will take place in Astana on January 24-25, 2024
Astana
The 21st international meeting on conflict resolution in Syria will take place in Astana on January 24-25, 2024, as announced by the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, Aybek Smadiyarov. The negotiations will involve guarantor countries – Russia, Turkey, and Iran, as well as representatives of the Syrian government and opposition, Vlast.kz reports.
“As observers, the participation of representatives from Jordan, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon is expected, as well as the UN, the UN Commissioner for Refugees, and the International Committee of the Red Cross,” Smadiyarov also stated, noting the anticipated participation of the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen.
The preliminary agenda includes discussions on the development of the regional situation around Syria, comprehensive settlement efforts in the country, the humanitarian situation, and mobilizing international efforts to support post-conflict reconstruction in Syria.
Smadiyarov reminded that in 2023, Kazakhstan suspended the Syrian talks in Astana but with the provision to resume them if the guarantor countries made such a request.
“A collective appeal did come, we considered it, and decided to conduct [the meeting],” explained the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In June 2023, Kazakhstan’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kanat Tumysh, proposed declaring the 20th round of Syrian negotiations in Astana as the final one. However, a joint statement by the guarantor countries decided to hold another meeting.
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