Syria talks first serious bid to end crisis: German FM
The German foreign minister has hailed the international talks in Austria aimed at resolving the crisis in Syria as the first "serious attempt” to break the string of violence and chaos in the Arab nation.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a speech to the political institute Koerber Foundation in the German capital of Berlin that after about five years of deadly conflict in Syria, “there are finally first steps in the search for a solution.”
The first round of talks was held on October 30 in the Austrian capital, Vienna, attended by representatives of 17 countries, including Iran, as well as envoys from the United Nations and the European Union. At the end of the talks, the participants agreed on respecting Syria’s national unity and sovereignty as well as eradicating the terrorist groups operating in the country.
However, the talks failed to reach consensus over the role President Bashar al-Assad would play in Syria’s political process. While some countries want the removal of the Syrian leader as part of a solution to the issue, Iran and Russia say only the Syrian nation can have a say on that matter.
Steinmeier’s comment came ahead of the second round of negotiations that are due to be held on November 14, two days later than the date previously announced by the German top diplomat.
He added that the meeting is not expected to “bring peace to Syria tomorrow,” but is regarded as first steps taken toward a partial de-escalation of the conflict.
"Of course, all this is just a start. But it is hopefully the start of an effective process that can finally curb the cynical dynamics of the proxy rivalries," Steinmeier stated.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also said Monday that the new round of Syria talks should not be based on calls for Assad’s resignation, which, he said, was a “simplistic approach.”
He further said on Tuesday that Moscow wants a deal cut at the talks that would define a list of terror groups operating in Syria, describing such an agreement “a step forward.”
The foreign-backed militancy in Syria, which flared in March 2011, has so far claimed the lives of over 250,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands.
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