MOSCOW, April 4. /TASS/. Russian, Iranian, Syrian and Turkish deputy foreign ministers discussed at consultations in Moscow arrangements for a ministerial-level meeting, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
"On April 3-4, the deputy foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, Syria and Turkey held consultations in Moscow. They discussed arrangements for a coming meeting between these countries’ foreign ministers," Russia’s MFA said. "The participants outlined their approaches in a direct and candid manner and agreed to continue communication," the ministry added.
Earlier reports said the four parties would discuss moves toward normalizing ties between Ankara and Damascus. Relations between the two worsened in 2011 when a conflict erupted in Syria and Syrian refugees fled to Turkey. Diplomatic contacts between the two countries were severed.