Representatives of more than a dozen countries have gathered in Vienna as part of a renewed effort to resolve the Syrian crisis.
Top diplomats from Russia, the United States and Saudi Arabia are seeking common ground over a political solution. For the first time, Iran has been invited to such international talks.
The Syrian government and the opposition and insurgents will not be taking part at this stage. But that should change if these negotiations make progress. This is the second round of talks on Syria in less than a week.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, says the main goal of the talks is to launch a political dialogue.
"The main objective of that meeting is to help with launching, as soon as possible, of a political process in Syria through inter-Syrian dialogue as stipulated in the Geneva communiqué of July 30, 2012. We are satisfied with the fact that along with Turkey, Syria's Arabic neighbours and other influential countries of the region including Egypt and Iran, will take part in the Vienna meeting," Zakharova said.
