Will peace get a chance in Astana?

The Debates feature from Euro|Topics offers English (+ French and German) translations of a selections of articles in European news sources on this topic.

Euro|Topics relaunched their website during 2016. Features published before that date are still available via an archive website (see related url hyperlinks0A new round of Syria talks took place on the 23-24 January 2017 in the Kazakh capital Astana. The goal of meeting was to consolidate the fragile ceasefire that began in December 2016. If the meeting ended well the negotiations would be resumed in February 2017. The press saw a major clash of interests in Astana but nonetheless voiced cautious optimism.

Representatives of the Syrian government and opposition factions met in Astana for the talks which were brokered by Russia, Turkey and Iran.

• Primary Source

http://archiv.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aktuell.html http://archiv.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aktuell.html

ESO: Background information: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on the announcement of a cessation of hostilities in Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-the-high-representative-vice-president-federica-mogherini-on-the-announcement-of-a-cessation-of-hostilities-in-syria/

Sputnik International: Topic: Syrian Peace Talks in Astana https://sputniknews.com/trend/astana_syria_talks_2017/

Deutsche Welle, 24.01.17: Russia, Turkey and Iran agree trilateral mechanism to maintain Syrian ceasefire http://dw.com/p/2WI1y

Deutsche Welle, 27.01.17: UN cannot confirm delay in Syrian peace talks http://dw.com/p/2WUDD

International Crisis Group: Commentary, 24.01.17: What's at Stake in the Syrian Peace Talks in Astana? https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/eastern-mediterranean/syria/what-stake-syrian-peace-talks-astana

Al Jazeera, 24.01.17: Astana summit: Opposition sets demands for new talks http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/01/astana-summit-opposition-sets-demands-talks-170124163538146.html

UN: UN News Centre, 24.01.17: With international agreement on ceasefire monitoring, UN envoy praises Syrian delegations in Astana http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56030#.WItoPH3Dt-c

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