MOSCOW. Feb 16 (Interfax) - A draft constitution of Syria should be discussed with all parties to the Syria crisis, which should help make headway in its political settlement, Russian Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu said at a meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura in Moscow on Thursday.
"We understand very well that one needs to begin with something. In our view, it would be good to start by discussing a draft constitution. A draft constitution as such has no clear framework but is a subject to begin dialogue. A draft constitution is something that needs to be discussed with all population groups," Shoigu said.
The document should be discussed with both the authorities and the opposition, including those currently staying in Syria and abroad, he said.
"Of course, a procedure of adopting this constitution is an important factor, but, in any case, one needs to begin with something. And here we have high hopes for Geneva as well, and we are confident that we can make further steps forward in the political process," he said.