MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Syrian government and opposition factions are expected to resume proximity talks in Geneva next week.
"I wanted to come here before the second round, as Russia and you personally [Lavrov] and US partners have been major supporters in building momentum for moving to a political solution," de Mistura told reporters in Moscow.
The diplomat who mediates proximity talks between the Syrian government and opposition delegates that are expected to resume in Geneva next week is on a visit to Moscow for talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
"I want to make a point that liberation of Palmyra has been a symbol for the whole international community that needs to be the beginning of freeing areas of international value, which we have been looking for," de Mistura told reporters before meeting Lavrov.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday praised the outcome of the latest round of Geneva peace talks and called on negotiating sides 'to do well their home work' before the start of the fresh round.
"We believe that it is important now to ensure that each side does well its homework in preparation of the second round," Lavrov emphasized.
He called on the UN envoy to focus on uniting the efforts of all external players aimed at facilitating an effective Syrian reconciliation dialogue.
"All capitals…certainly Washington, and a number of European capitals, are important. All those countries must play an important role in the progress of the political process," Lavrov told de Mistura during a meeting in Moscow.
"And one of your key tasks is to ensure the unity of actions by external players, because, in the end, the signals received by the Syrian sides, must be synchronized," Lavrov stressed.
