Astana Talks Key to Syria Peace

Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Jaberi Ansari underlined the importance of Astana peace talks on Syria for finding a political solution to the lingering crisis gripping the Arab country. “The Astana talks were intended to expedite the political process of resolving the crisis in Syria by stabilizing the truce and moving toward national compromise in the Arab country,” Ansari said in a meeting with Chinese Special Envoy on Syria Xie Xiaoyan in Tehran on Tuesday, Fars News Agency reported. The Chinese envoy described Astana talks as a positive measure with beneficial results in resolving the Syrian crisis, and underlined the importance of undertaking measures to maintain the current ceasefire between the Syrian Army and armed rebels, which excludes terrorist groups like the self-styled Islamic State. “If terrorists are not beaten properly, the truce would not last for long,” the Chinese diplomat said. Xie said Beijing is willing to have constant exchange of views with Tehran regarding the issue of Syria. The latest round of Astana talks was held last week, after which the main sponsors of the peace process, namely Tehran, Moscow and Ankara, said they agreed to set up a joint committee to monitor the ceasefire.