The Astana format will be useful for Syria at this stage, Russia is ready to work – Lavrov – Russian Politics & Diplomacy

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. The Astana format at this stage can serve purposes for Syria, Russia is ready to work, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Russian and foreign media.

“The position of Turkey, Iran, and Russia is that the Astana format can play a useful role at the current stage, especially since the Arab states – Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan – traditionally participate in its work as observers. Gulf monarchies are also showing interest,” he said.

“That’s why we declared our readiness to help, and the Turks and Iranians did the same. The Arab countries, which are now in contact with the new government in Damascus, are aware of our capabilities,” the first diplomat added.

At the same time, Lavrov expressed confidence that “the new Syrian government will be able to determine in what concrete form, in what forms the Astana format can support the processes that have now begun in Syria.”