5th round of Syria talks in Astana may begin next week

ASTANA, Kazakhstan

The fifth round of Syrian peace talks in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana may begin next week, Foreign Minister Kairat Abdrakhmanov said on Monday.

"Russia informed us that they are going to invite guarantor countries to meet in Astana on June 12-13," Abdrakhmanov told reporters.

Abdrakhmanov said Russia, Turkey, and Iran are to inform Kazakhstan in the coming days about the meeting's agenda and composition.

He added that beside guarantor countries, representatives from the Syrian regime, the Syrian armed opposition, and observer states are also expected to attend.

Abdrakhmanov mentioned how during the previous meeting in Astana on May 4, Russia, Turkey, and Iran signed a deal to establish de-escalation zones in Syria.

"During this meeting, specifics on implementing the deal are expected, namely in determining how these de-escalation zones will function," he added.

Reporting by Aliia Raimbekova;Writing by Diyar Guldogan