Kazakhstan: International peace talks on Syria kick off in Astana

International negotiations on a settlement for the Syrian conflict kicked off with consultations between the Russian delegation and the Syrian government delegation in Astana on Wednesday. Closed to the press, the meeting is expected to focus on the establishment of Syria’s constitutional committee as well as on the creation of a demilitarised zone in the Idlib area. The Russian delegation is led by Special Presidential Representative for the Syrian Settlement Alexander Lavrentiev, while the Syrian delega