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Russia believes China's involvement in Astana format would add value — envoy

"Some assistance as part of the Syrian settlement, improve the lives of Syrian citizens and in reconstruction," presidential envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev said

ASTANA, November 23. /TASS/. Russia is convinced that China's involvement as an observer in the Astana format would be valuable, while the Turkish side is considering this possibility, presidential envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev said on Wednesday. He was speaking after the 19th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format.

According to him, Beijing could provide "some assistance as part of the Syrian settlement, improve the lives of Syrian citizens and in reconstruction."

"This option was considered. We believe that China's participation in the Astana format would be very useful," Lavrentiev said.

"Of course, we proposed this option. The Iranians agreed with this, while the Turkish side is considering it and has taken a pause before making a decision," he added.

The Russian presidential envoy for Syria stressed that this is not only about China as Moscow favors other states joining the efforts in the Astana format as observers as well.

"Of course, I believe that if the Americans returned to the Astana format, that would also be very useful. If two countries like the United States and China were present as observers in the Astana format, that would be a very good step, a good signal for the international community, and in general in the direction of the Syrian settlement," Lavrentiev concluded.

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