Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed the hope that Egypt will join the negotiations on the Syrian settlement in Astana, while Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Iraq could join them at subsequent stages, according to TASS news agency.

"Considering all these consultations, we are beginning to get ready for the meeting in Astana together with the Turks and Iranians," he said at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which focused on the agreements on a ceasefire in Syria and the beginning of negotiations. "Given the importance of expanding the number of guarantor states, we consider inviting our Egyptian counterparts to join these agreements."

Russia’s top diplomat noted that the issue was discussed during a telephone conversation between Putin and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi earlier on Thursday.

"In the future, at some other stages, perhaps, we need to attract some other key players, which have an impact on developments in Syria. These are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq and Jordan," Lavrov said, adding that the UN’s representative will be invited as well, which will make it possible "to ensure the continuity of the political process."

Source: MENA