China voices readiness to play constructive role in Astana talks
By Kamila Aliyeva
New players may join the Astana process which is aimed at resolving Syrian crisis and bringing stability to the region.
China, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon and Kazakhstan can be admitted to participate in the Astana process as observers and join the peace talks at the next meeting in October, said Alexander Lavrentiev, special representative of Russian President on the Syrian settlement.
Lavrentiev talking to media after the sixth international meeting on Syria in Astana, highlighted that the basis of the Astana process was the work of the three guarantor countries -- Russia, Iran and Turkey, which will supervise and ensure ceasefire in the de-escalation zones in Syria.
The three countries have already established a Tripartite Committee for that, said Lavrentiev.
The ideas of establishing de-escalation zones took shape in May when three guarantor countries signed a memorandum at the fourth meeting on Syria in Astana.
Three zones of de-escalation have already been established in Syria, and the establishment of the fourth one in Idlib province, is reportedly the spotlight of the three-day sixth meeting on Syria in Astana.
Beijing has already responded to Russia’s proposal, voicing readiness to play a constructive role in the Astana talks on Syria, RIA Novosti reported.
"We hope that positive results will be achieved during the next round of the Astana talks. The Chinese side supports all efforts that contribute to a political settlement of the Syrian crisis, and we are ready to play a constructive role for this," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said, answering the question on whether China will become an observer country in the upcoming talks.
She stressed that the talks in Astana are an important part of the Geneva process.
"The Chinese side has always been in favor of a political solution to this issue because we believe that this is the only way out of the Syrian crisis," Chunying added.
Syria has been locked in civil war since March 2011. According to UN's special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, around 400,000 people have died in the conflict while half the population has been driven from their homes.
While the Astana process is separate from the UN’s Geneva talks, the attendance of the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura links the Kazakh platform to broader international efforts.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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