Russia bets on another international conference on peace in Syria

The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed support for another international conference on peace in Syria in an enhanced format, as part of collective efforts to solve the lengthy conflict in that country.

The inter-Syria consultations held in Moscow and the contacts with the UN special envoy for Syria, Steffan de Mistura, are in line with joint efforts to prepare an enhanced Geneva-3 dialogue, said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.

Bogdanov noted that the organization of the meetings in Moscow between representatives of Syria's opposition and the government and the preparation of another international conference under the auspices of the United Nations are in line with Russia's stance and the agreements reached in Geneva on June 30, 2012.

Bogdanov, who is also the Russian president's representative for Africa and Middle East Affairs, said that Geneva-3, whose date has not been set yet, must be attended by the countries that can really contribute to the process.

We think that the most influential parties in the region must invited, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, underlined Bogdanov, who was quoted by TASS news agency.

He added that the conference must be held under the auspices of the United Nations with participation of the secretary general and the special envoy of that world organization for Syria, as well as the permanent members of the UN Security Council, made up of the United States, China, France, Russia and the United Kingdom.

The deputy foreign minister repeated that Russia is ready to host another round of inter-Syria consultations if the parties in the conflict wish so.