Ryabkov: timeframe for drafting Syria’s new constitution quite strict, but it is not fact it will be observed

MOSCOW. March 29 (Interfax) – The timeframe for preparing a new draft constitution for Syria is quite strict, but no deadlines have been set, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov has said.

“It is all relative,” Ryabkov said after being asked by Interfax whether August is a deadline for the drawing up of Syria’s draft constitution.

“It is necessary to take a look at the International Syria Support Group’s documents, where all this is written, in order to understand the timeframe,” he said.

“The timeframe is quite strict, but we saw previously as well that agreements regarding a specific timeframe for implementing different steps have not always been observed. But we are not dramatizing it,” Ryabkov said.

“We will also comprehensively deal with constitutional problems and other aspects of the political process in Syria,” he said.

“I would like to stress once again that what is necessary for the next round to succeed is that the Syrian Kurds’ due representation at it should be ensured. It is an imperative for further progress,” Ryabkov said.

The high-ranking diplomat said: “I cannot say and no one else can say by which day in the calendar [this should be ready], but look at the documents – they contain timeframes of six months, 18 months.”

“But there are certain disagreements over the date from which this counting should start. We have our own position, the Americans have their own position. All this will be a matter for further discussions, including tomorrow, during talks with U.S. Under Secretary of State Thomas Shannon,” Ryabkov said.

[featured image is file photo from different occasion]