Staffan de Mistura on Tuesday called on Iran to play a more significant role and help the international body end the crisis in Syria within the framework of Geneva talks.
De Mistura also voiced the UN’s support for the efforts of three guarantors – Iran, Russia, and Turkey – in the framework of the Astana talks.
During the meeting held in the Kazakh capital of Astana as part of the fifth round of talks on Syria, the two sides discussed the latest developments in the Geneva and Astana processes including Syrian-Syrian talks, establishing the ceasefire, de-escalation, and taking practical measures to bring peace.
Iran’s Jaberi Ansari stressed that the two processes of Astana and Geneva are complementary. He also talked about the achievements of previous efforts and the requirements ahead.
Moreover, Iran’s top negotiator in the Astana talks touched on the UN’s role in providing technical assistance to reach a deal on creation of de-escalation zones as well as giving assistance to Syrian-Syrian talks to initiate a national reconciliation process.
The two sides also touched upon the significance and urgency to provide humanitarian aid for the Syrian people and looked into new executive proposals in this regard.
The two-day round of the Astana talks on Syrian reconciliation has kicked off on Tuesday. The parties are expected to work on approval of borders and maps of the de-escalation zones, as well as documents regulating the activities of de-escalation control forces.