Russia reiterated call that Iran must take part in the upcoming international conference aimed at finding peaceful solution for the conflict in Syria.

Russia reiterated call that Iran must take part in the upcoming international conference aimed at finding peaceful solution for the conflict in Syria.

“This (peaceful settlement) can be achieved through the convocation of an international peace conference for Syria (Geneva II),” the Russian Foreign Ministry's information and press department said Wednesday in a commentary.

The ministry said it believes that all influential players, including Iran, should attend the meeting, adding: that “any important decisions concerning the future of Syria must be made by Syrians themselves, by mutual consent and without external pressure”.

Russia has on numerous occasions called for Iran’s participation in Syria talks.
In a joint press conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry and UN-Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi in Paris on Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Iran “should participate” in the conference.

Brahimi has also argued that Iran should attend the planned talks.
However, Kerry said in the press conference that Tehran should first agree to the principles set out at the first Syria talks in Geneva.

“Iran has yet to state whether or not it supports implementing the Geneva Communiqué,” Kerry said.