Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi postponed

November 28, 2017

President Erdogan warned that Turkey cannot share a platform with any terrorist organization which poses a threat to its national security, referring especially to YPG, which is the Syrian affiliate of the PKK terrorist organization.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani attend the trilateral summit to discuss progress on Syria, between the Presidents of Turkey, Russia and Iran on November 22, 2017 in Sochi, Russia. Anadolu Agency

Russia’s RIA news agency reported on Monday that the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Russia’s coastal city of Sochi has been postponed until February. The Congress was expected to come together in December.

The news agency RIA Novosti cited a diplomatic source who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

“Preparations for the congress are currently underway. It will not be held until January, most likely in February,” the agency said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Russian President Putin and Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani agreed on gathering a congress of Syrian groups to advance a political solution for Syria during a meeting held in Russia’s Sochi on last Wednesday, November 22.

The congress would bring together the warring factions in Syria for peace talks. It was also planned to start negotiations for a new constitution.

However, Erdogan warned that Turkey cannot share a platform with any terrorist organization which poses a threat to its national security, referring especially to YPG, which is the Syrian affiliate of the PKK terrorist organization.

*Written by Suna Nur Sarihan. 

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