Astana has potential to become Asian Geneva - expert

ASTANA. KAZINFORM Syria talks in Astana differ from the Geneva process in that its participants are approaching it with a synchronized position for determining key positions of the big agreement, according to Farkhad Mamedov, Director of Azerbaijan Presidential Center for Strategic Research.    

“Russia, Turkey and Iran have been demonstrating dynamics in the negotiation process and a will to achieve regulation on concrete issues. Syrian authorities and representatives of large opposition groups, and according to some sources, the representatives of Saudi Arabia  also agreed to join this format of meeting which lets us speak about expanding space of Syria where conditions will be created for synchronization of positions, determining long-term and midterm goals and steps on their implementation,” F.Mamedov said.

 

“The place of the meeting was not chosen accidentally, as Kazakhstan is a Muslim country and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council with a stable position at the international arena. The authority of  President Nursultan Nazarbayev among the meeting participants (Russia, Iran and Turkey leadership) allows to create conditions to achieve a maximum result and to continue talks namely in Astana in future. Undoubtedly, Astana has a potential to become Asian Geneva for regulation of conflicts and holding high-level talks,” Farkhad Mamedov stated.