The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that Russia and the other guarantors of the cessation of hostilities agreement are taking proactive steps to prepare for the new round of Astana talks on Syria.

“Russia and other guarantors (Turkey and Iran) and observers (Jordan, the US, and the UN) of the Astana process, Kazakhstan, the government of Syria, and delegates from the armed opposition groups participating in the ceasefire have been taking proactive steps to prepare for a sixth international high-level meeting on Syria in Astana,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry pointed out that one of the main results of the establishment of de-escalation zones in Syria, which was reached through the Astana process, was the opportunity for various parties in Syria to focus on the fight against terrorism.

The Ministry also underlined to the need to intensify efforts within the Astana format in order to establish the fourth de-escalation zone in Idleb province.

The Ministry considered that favorable prospects are now emerging to support the political settlement in Syria on the basis of UN Security Council resolution no.2254

Source : SANA