The Intra-Syria talks that were "paused" in early February, are to officially resume in Geneva on Wednesday, according to TASS news agency.
The Intra-Syria talks that were "paused" in early February, are to officially resume in Geneva on Wednesday, according to TASS news agency.
Although the delegations of the Syrian government and the opposition have not arrived in Switzerland yet, UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has decided not to repeatedly postpone the start of the next round.
The UN envoy said that the second round is scheduled to discuss forming a unity government in Syria.
Initially the round of talks was to start on February 25 but was postponed until March 7 and later rescheduled for March 9.
Speaking at a press briefing on the eve of the talks Staffan de Mistura’s Press Secretary Jesse Shain did not give an answer to the question of who Mistura will meet today. She said that from March 9, the Special Envoy will be ready to accept any delegation will hold preparatory meetings with them.
Shahin said that some delegations would come to Geneva on March 12, 13, 14. This is due to "logistical difficulties", in particular, with Geneva’s hosting the International motor show from March 3 to 13, she said.
She added that Staffan de Mistura believes that substantive negotiations will begin in Geneva not later than March 14.
Earlier an official with the Syrian mission at the UN headquarters in Geneva told TASS that the delegation of official Damascus was invited to arrive for the talks on March 14.
As for the Syrian opposition, it is unclear when its delegation will arrive to Geneva, and whether it will arrive. There have been mixed signals from its representatives.
On Monday, Salim al-Muslet, spokesman for the High National Committee (HNC), told the Al Arabiya TV channel that the Syrian opposition "has not yet made the decision to go to the talks in Geneva."
According to him, the authorities in Damascus must meet a number of conditions before the resumption of contacts in Geneva.
First of all, it concerns the removal of the siege of the cities and unimpeded passage of humanitarian convoys, he said.
