Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov insisted that Iran’s participation in peace conference aimed at ending the Syrian crisis is necessary, but said that no such agreement has been reached thus far.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov insisted that Iran’s participation in peace conference aimed at ending the Syrian crisis is necessary, but said that no such agreement has been reached thus far.

Talking to reporters on Monday, Gatilov said that Russia thinks Iran's participation is necessary, but this prospect has yet to be discussed.

"Additional negotiations are to be held with the external players who will attend,” he added.

Asked whether all Syrian opposition representatives were ready to participate in the conference, Gatilov said: “Certainty not yet.”
A period prior to holding the Geneva-2 conference "is specifically needed so that the opposition comes with a united delegation," Gatilov said. "We support one delegation," the diplomat said.

Another trilateral Russia-US-UN meeting to prepare the peace conference is scheduled for late December, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister said.

"We have agreed that another trilateral meeting will be held in late December, during which we will continue to accord further all issues," Gatilov told reporters.

Russia is not withdrawing the invitation for Syrian opposition forces to come Moscow for talks, said the diplomat.

"Concerning the Moscow meeting, preparations are well underway and will continue. Our proposal remains on the table. We are ready to receive representatives of all opposition groups in Moscow in order to discuss all problems, including preparations for the Geneva II conference, in an free manner without any specific agenda" Gatilov said.