BEIJING (Sputnik) – According to Lavrov, it is now necessary to ensure "a stable and direct character of intra-Syrian dialogue, ensure giving it a truly representative character."
"In particular, we consider it absolutely necessary to invite the leadership of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party [PYD] to participate in the Geneva talks," Lavrov stressed.
While the Kurds are the largest ethnic minority in Syria, none of their representatives have been invited to the Geneva negotiations. The PYD claims that its participation in the intra-Syrian talks was blocked by Ankara because of its assumed links to the pro-independence Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is active in southeastern Turkey and is considered to be a terrorist organization by Ankara.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura expressed hope after the April round of Syria peace talks concluded on Wednesday that Kurds would have a voice during future negotiations.
