Russian invites Iraq to observe next round of Astana Syria talks

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Saturday, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had received an official invitation from Russia to participate in the next round of Astana negotiations (tripartite negotiations between Russia, Turkey and Iran) on settling the Syrian crisis in Sochi.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it had received the invitation during a meeting held by senior representative Nizar al-Khair Allah with Russian ambassador to Baghdad Maxim Maximov, on Thursday.

The ministry added that the Russian ambassador delivered an official invitation to Iraq to participate as an observer in the 15^th round of Astana negotiations.

The tour is scheduled to be held in the Russian city of Sochi on the 16^th and 17th of February to discuss security, political, and humanitarian developments in Syria.

The statement indicated that the they stressed during the meeting the need to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis and restore bridges of confidence between Syrians of various orientations and without external interference.