A round of informal inter-Syrian contacts began today, January 26, in Moscow. They are currently being attended by more than 30 Syrian public figures representing a wide range of opposition movements, as well as several independent politicians. The discussions are being held behind closed doors. No media or other uninvolved parties are allowed. A delegation of the Syrian government headed by Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations Bashar Jaafari, which will join the consultations on January 28, arrived in Moscow today.

We proceed from the understanding that, with the assistance of a group of moderators from Russian academia led by Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies Vitaly Naumkin, the participants in the inter-Syrian consultations in Moscow will succeed in developing a common platform. This platform, in accordance with the Geneva Communiqué of June 30, 2012, could be used to open an inclusive and meaningful dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition in order to stop the fratricidal bloodshed and the suffering of the Syrian people, to consolidate forces to combat terrorism and extremism, and to achieve an early political settlement based on Syria emerging as a united, sovereign, secular and democratic state, in which all citizens and ethnic and religious groups feel safe and comfortable.