Off the wire
• Urgent: Adama Barrow sworn in as president of the Gambia in Dakar  • China Oceanwide, IDG Capital to acquire IDG  • Germany's DAX index drops by 0.02 pct  • Serbia, Iraq liberalize visas, establish political communication  • Poland's pioneer throat transplant surgery chosen as world's best  • China Eastern, Air Europe sign codeshare agreement  • Xinhua sets up flagship financial media group  • Feature: Silk Road musical culture on display at American museum  • Philippine police chief apologizes for his men killing Korean businessman  • Europol targets jewellery robbery, burglary in Europe  
You are here: 　 Home

UN envoy for Syria to attend peace talks in Astana

Xinhua, January 20, 2017 Adjust font size:

The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura will lead the UN team for the upcoming Syria peace talk in Astana, Kazakhstan, UN spokesperson's office said Thursday.

De Mistura's deputy Ramzy E. Ramzy was initially designated to lead the UN team at the talk, which was scheduled on January 23.

"In light of the complexity and importance of the issues likely to be raised in Astana, and of the senior level at which the conveners of the meeting will be represented, the Secretary-General has asked Mr. de Mistura to lead the UN team at the talks," the office said.

"The Secretary-General is looking forward to the Astana meeting being a positive step, ahead of the resumption of intra-Syria negotiations in Geneva," said the office.

A ceasefire agreement was reached between the Syrian government and the oppositions at the end of last year after intense diplomatic efforts by Russia, Turkey and other countries. The new round of peace talks between Syrian government and oppositions in Astana was later announced.

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on December 31 to welcome efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence in Syria and start a political process.

The council viewed the peace talks in Astana "as an important part of the Syrian-led political process and an important step ahead of the resumption of negotiations," the resolution said. Enditem