Moscow, SANA- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said he was optimistic about having a progress in the agenda of the four baskets during the current round of the Syrian-Syrian dialogue in Geneva.

Earlier on Monday, the seventh round of the Syrian-Syrian dialogue started in Geneva with a meeting between the Syrian Arab Republic delegation, headed by Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari, and UN Special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura.

Lavrov was speaking at a press conference with his counterpart of South Ossetia.

He said that Geneva talks are witnessing greater movement compared to the past rounds particularly the agenda of four baskets, pointing out that de- Mistura is currently holding consultations regarding the constitutional issues.

“We will actively support de Mistura’s efforts to encourage the Syrian parties to a productive, constructive conversation about what constitutional reforms could be agreed upon,” Lavrov said.

He considered that the technical consultations between representatives of Cairo, Moscow and Riyadh platforms is a qualitative shift and indicate a change in the behavior of the Riyadh opposition delegation that was trying to hold the opposition in the past.”

Lavrov noted that the establishment of de-escalation zones will contribute to combating terrorism through separating the terrorists from the “opposition” and cessation of hostilities and then forming a basis for the participation of the forces in those areas with the Syrian state in the fight against terrorism, adding that Russia will continue supporting the Syrians in their joint fight against terrorism, through presence of its Aerospace Force.

Lavrov said that Russia and the United States will continue cooperating on the enforcement of a de-escalation zone agreement in southwestern Syria.

“We are close to reaching a final agreement on Homs and the eastern Ghouta zones, while talks continue on the northern zone, which is planned to be set up in Idlib area,” Lavrov added.

The Russian foreign Minister welcomed the United States’ more active participation at previous two meetings in Astana.

“By and large, the doors for our cooperation on the further development of the de-escalation zones concept are open,” Lavrov said.

Shaza/Mazen