Russia, Turkey, Iran discuss Syria cease-fire in Astana

Free Syrian Army fighters carry their weapons as they stand on the outskirts of the Daesh-controlled northern Syrian town of Al-Bab, Syria, on Saturday. REUTERS

ASTANA: Experts from Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United Nations held a technical meeting in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, to discuss in detail the implementation of the Syrian cease-fire agreement, Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
“Representatives of Jordan are expected to take part for the first time,” a ministry spokesman said of the talks.
He said the agenda included reviewing the implementation of the cessation of hostilities, discussing a proposal from the Syrian armed opposition about the cease-fire, and determining options about how to implement it.
Fighting and air strikes have plagued the cease-fire agreement between the government and rebel groups since it took effect in late December, with the combatants accusing each other of violations.
“This is about creating a mechanism to control the implementation of the cease-fire,” the ministry spokesman said.
The ministry gave no information about the line-up of the delegations, who were meeting behind closed doors.
After the talks, Russian negotiator, chief command official Stanislav Gadzhimagomedov, said the sides had also discussed preventing provocations and securing humanitarian access.
“The delegations have confirmed their readiness to continue interaction in order to achieve the full implementation of the cessation of hostilities in Syria,” he said.