Russia-US Syria Truce Pact Should Promote Start of Inclusive Intra-Syrian Talks: Moscow
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Last week’s agreement between the Russian and US senior diplomats on a ceasefire in Syria should give impetus to the start of inclusive dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Sputnik on Friday.
The nationwide ceasefire announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry in Geneva on September 9 went into force at sundown Monday in Syria.
"All of these agreements we believe should very seriously promote the beginning of a sustainable, inclusive political process with the participation of all Syrian pro-government and anti-government forces," Bogdanov said.
The Russian-US pact envisions the countries' anti-terrorism coordination through a Joint Implementation Center if the truce holds up successfully for a week.
Bogdanov told RIA Novosti previously that intra-Syrian negotiations could resume, after a pause since the last round in April, as early as October this year.
Elsewhere in his comments, Bogdanov said Russia expects the United States to conduct details talks with the armed Syrian opposition unwilling to comply with this week’s ceasefire.
Some of the armed groups "place themselves outside these agreements and in effect support the terrorists" with their reluctance to respect the Russian-US-brokered truce, he added.
"We expect from our US partners a demanding conversation with these irreconcilable opposition members, because their position does not lead to peace in Syria," the Russian official stressed.
