An early election can be conducted in Syria if an agreement on the Constitution can be reached among parties, Russia's special representative to the Middle East and African countries said Thursday.
Mikhail Bogdanov told reporters at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that efforts to form a new Constitution in Syria are continuing.
"If the parties in Syria agree and the results of efforts are approved, elections can be held within the framework of the new Constitution or the reforms in the Constitution," he said.
Bogdanov drew attention to the possibility that elections could be held earlier provided that the opposition and the regime of Bashar al-Assad reach an agreement for the new Constitution. The current Constitution stipulates that elections be held every seven years.
He stated that Russia plans to hold a meeting related to Syria as part of the Astana Format by the end of the month, adding that Moscow will hold talks with Turkish and Iranian partners on this issue.
The Syrian Constitutional Committee meetings, which started in October 2019 with 150 members, are the first concrete step to draft a new Constitution to determine Syria’s future.
The Astana peace process to end the conflict was launched in January 2017 at the initiative of Turkey, Russia, and Iran.
Meetings of Astana guarantors also contribute to the advancement of the UN-led diplomatic process in Geneva.
The conflict in Syria began in 2011 when the regime of Bashar al-Assad cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.
AA
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