MOSCOW. Feb 16 (Interfax) - UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has lauded Russia's role in the Syria settlement process.
He told reporters on Thursday after a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu that Russia had been playing a very important role in the Syria settlement, an illustrative example of which was the ceasefire deal it brokered together with Turkey. He also said he expected Russia to carry on its activity and to cooperate with the United Nations in this area.
Astana is an important platform for the Syria settlement negotiations, he said, adding it was vital to achieve success both in Astana and Geneva in order to cease fire and to begin the political settlement process.
The current negotiations in Astana and the negotiations to be held in Geneva next week were the principal topics of the meeting with Shoigu, de Mistura said.
Most importantly, Astana has been recognized as an important platform, which helps consolidate ceasefire efforts, de Mistura said.