Lavrov and Kerry have a discussion on Syria

The trilateral meeting of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Arab League and UN Special Representative for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi has begun in Paris. The parties are discussing preparations for the Geneva-2 international conference, which will open in Switzerland’s Montreux on January 22. Voice of Russia writes about this.

The protocol open for reporters was under a minute – Lavrov, Kerry and Brahimi seemed to be in a good mood. The talks of Lavrov, Kerry and Brahimi are being held behind closed doors without journalists present.

The conference on Syria will open in the Swiss city of Montreux on January 22. Taking part will be foreign ministers of Russia and the US, delegations from China, France, the UK and 30 more states, as well as representatives of the UN, the Arab League, the EU and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

It is yet uncertain whether Iran will take part in the conference. Sergey Lavrov and John Kerry are going to discuss this issue during their bilateral meeting. Russia is insisting that Iran’s participation may be useful, because Iran is one of the most influential countries in the Middle East. However, the US is against Iran’s participation in the conference.

It is not yet also certain who will represent the Syrian opposition at the conference. It is not yet known whether members of the Syrian National Coalition, which is the largest coalition within the Syrian opposition, will come. The leaders of the National Coalition say that they will announce their decision on January 17.