Moscow expects Turkey to get Syrian opposition to return to Astana talks - Bogdanov
MOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) - Turkey should influence the Syrian opposition to make sure that its representatives come to the negotiations in Astana, but the process will also continue without their participation, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said.
"Of course, the process will continue," Bogdanov said when asked whether the armed Syrian opposition's possible refusal to participate in the negotiations might fully disrupt them.
"In this situation, our Turkish partners should work with the opposition because they have assumed the role of a guarantor," he said.
Just as in the previous rounds, the Russian delegation will be led by presidential envoy on Syria Alexander Lavrentyev, he said.
"Many would like to join, it should be discussed within the 'triangle' first. We would, of course, support that," he said.
China is among the countries that have expressed an interest in an observer role, he said.
