Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov emphasized the need for the participation of Iran in the next round of the international peace talks aimed at finding solution to the crises gripping Syria.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov emphasized the need for the participation of Iran in the next round of the international peace talks aimed at finding solution to the crises gripping Syria.

In a Thursday phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Bogdanov underlined the Islamic Republic’s fundamental role in the diplomatic efforts to end over four years of violence in Syria, IRNA news agency reported.

Bogdanov called for Iran’s presence in the upcoming Vienna summit, the Iranian agency added.

During the talks, the two senior diplomats also exchanged views on ways to facilitate intra-Syrian dialogue on the crisis free from foreign meddling, stressing the necessity for various Syrian groups to take part in such national negotiations.

Amir-Abdollahian and Bogdanov also discussed the chaotic situation in Yemen, which has been under Saudi military strikes since late March, saying urgent measures should be taken to resolve the Yemeni and Syrian crises, IRNA added.

The first round of the talks on Syria was held in the Austrian capital of Vienna on October 30. Senior diplomats from a number of countries, including Iran, as well as envoys from the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) were present in the event.