Kazakhstan proposes to finalize Syria Talks in Astana

Kazakhstan has proposed to end the Astana process on Syria, a diplomatic track that has been instrumental in reducing violence in the country. The proposal was made by Deputy Foreign Minister Kanat Tumysh at a meeting of the Astana process in Nur-Sultan on June 20-21, Turanews.kz reports.

Tumysh said that the gradual emergence of Syria from isolation in the region can be formulated as a sign that the Astana process has coped with its task with honor. Taking into account the return of Syria to the Arab family, we propose to officially declare the 20th meeting on Syria the last in the framework of the Astana process.

The Astana process was launched in 2017 by Türkiye, Russia, and Iran. It has been credited with reducing violence in Syria and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid. The process has also been criticized for legitimizing the Assad regime.

It is unclear whether the other parties to the Astana process will agree to Kazakhstan’s proposal. However, the proposal is a sign that Kazakhstan believes that the Astana process has served its purpose and that it is time for a new approach to the Syrian conflict.