It was not possible to hold direct talks between the delegations of the Syrian authorities and opposition in Astana on Monday but they looked each other in the eye at the opening of the event.

Head of the Russian delegation, Alexander Lavrentiev, who is also the Presidential Envoy for the Syrian Settlement, said the aforementioned at a press-conference on Monday, RIA Novosti reports.  

“Although we didn’t manage to ensure direct talks between the two Syrian delegations in the framework of this forum in one room, it is remarkable that they were present at the opening, maintained eye contact, listened to greetings and statements, which were addressed to them, and refrained—as I stressed earlier—from any drastic actions to each other. I think this is a very positive step,” he told journalists.