Exclusive: Syria Welcomes Egypt’s participation in Astana talks

CAIRO – 17 October 2017: The Syrian government welcomes Egypt's and Saudi Arabia's participation in the coming round of the Astana talks, according to sources who spoke to Egypt Today Tuesday.

“Egypt won’t be the only country; new representatives and governments are supposed to join the anticipated round of talks aiming to figure a political solution for the current situation,” the sources added.

It was added that Egypt’s role in calming the Syrian crises is “remarkable” in a way that has made its presence in the seventh round of the Astana talks “desirable by all parties;” including Moscow and Syria itself.

During the last round of the Astana talks which ended September 15, the participated countries affirmed that all Syrian parties are committed to the principals of “the country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity along with fight against terrorism.”

Last September, Egypt hosted a Syrian conference for the Syrian Al-Ghad (Tomorrow) opposition movement headed by Ahmed Jarba aiming to achieve peace and stability not just within Syria but the whole region.

Also, on July 23, the first Egypt-brokered ceasefire was announced in the Ghouta region in Damascus, while the second de-escalation deal was announced in an area in northern Homs’ countryside on August 3.