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Laying groundwork vital for substantive peace talks: Syrian gov't delegation

Xinhua, March 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

The head of the Syrian government delegation Bashar al-Jaafari on Monday stressed the importance of laying the groundwork before a substantive debate can take place in the latest round of Syrian peace talks.

Al-Jaafari said his meeting with the UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura was "positive and constructive."

"In diplomacy, framework is very important to achieving substantive success," he said.

A second round of meetings between the special envoy and the Syrian government delegation is scheduled for Wednesday, and will focus on the agenda set by UN Security Council resolution 2254.

In light of this, al-Jaafari indicated that he had already conveyed a number of points to de Mistura.

"We submitted ideas and views regarding basic elements for a political solution in the hope that these ideas will enrich his efforts when he meets with other delegations," he said.

The UN special envoy is expected to meet with the Syrian government delegation and the Saudi-backed High Negotiations Committee, the umbrella group for Syrian opposition parties, on alternating days.

"We want to have an intra-Syrian dialogue, a dialogue that is Syrian-led without foreign intervention and without preconditions," Al-Jaafari said. Endit