Syrian opposition proposes holding consultations in Astana to resolve crisis

Syrian opposition is thinking about involving Kazakhstan as a mediator in resolving the crisis in their country, Tengrinews reports citing RIA Novosti. They also contemplate the possibility of holding talks in Astana.

"We're talking about getting Kazakhstan to assist in resolving of the crisis in Syria because of the role that Kazakhstan played in the world community thanks to its relationships with various countries," said the leader of the Movement of the Pluralistic Society Randa Kassis.

According to her, the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev could receive a working group of representatives of the Syrian opposition in Astana to discuss the crisis and come up with an action plan. "Then with the action plan in place, we would come to Moscow for the "Moscow 3" conference and take some practical steps," she said.

"Kazakhstan could play the role of a bridge connecting organizations with different interests," said the representative of the Syrian opposition.

The Syrian opposition asked Astana to join the Syrian crisis talks on April 6-9 in Moscow when Cassis called Kazakhstan a neutral country and has good relations with all the permanent members of the UN Security Council. "And there are positive signals coming from Kazakhstan," she said.

However, the Kazakh side did not join the Syrian talks in Moscow that time.

Syrian opposition is thinking about involving Kazakhstan as a mediator in resolving the crisis in their country, Tengrinews reports citing RIA Novosti. They also contemplate the possibility of holding talks in Astana.

"We're talking about getting Kazakhstan to assist in resolving of the crisis in Syria because of the role that Kazakhstan played in the world community thanks to its relationships with various countries," said the leader of the Movement of the Pluralistic Society Randa Kassis.

According to her, the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev could receive a working group of representatives of the Syrian opposition in Astana to discuss the crisis and come up with an action plan. "Then with the action plan in place, we would come to Moscow for the "Moscow 3" conference and take some practical steps," she said.

"Kazakhstan could play the role of a bridge connecting organizations with different interests," said the representative of the Syrian opposition.

The Syrian opposition asked Astana to join the Syrian crisis talks on April 6-9 in Moscow when Cassis called Kazakhstan a neutral country and has good relations with all the permanent members of the UN Security Council. "And there are positive signals coming from Kazakhstan," she said.

However, the Kazakh side did not join the Syrian talks in Moscow that time.

By Dinara Urazova, editing by Tatyana Kuzmina

talks Central Asia CIS Conflict crisis Kazakh Kazakhstan mediator news Syria Astana