Austria: Steinmeier sets out "Utopian," but hopeful, plan for Syrian peace

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier briefed the press on the results of the Syrian conflict talks in Vienna, Saturday, saying that "first get-togethers in Syria between opposition and regime representatives will be organised by the end of the year, by January 1, to initiate the process of an interim government." Speaking from in front of the Imperial Hotel, Steinmeier stated the individual steps to end the Syrian conflict, saying that "at the same time, the talks must be accompanied by an attempt to provide peace in the form of a ceasefire, hopefully both will happen soon enough. The interim government should stand in the next six months, at the same time we should determine a time table for drafting a new constitution for Syria. And the time goal we agreed upon today is to have elections in Syria 18 months from now." Steinmeier stated that the timetable seems rather "utopian, seeing the events and the ongoing battles in Syria, but we have for the first time all relevant parties and regional neighbours of Syria. All those who have influence on the regime in Damascus like Russia and Iran, who backed today's decisions." Steinmeier ended his statement by saying that carrying out the time table will be the responsibility of the Special Representative of the United Nations, Staffan de Mistura, who, "with our support he will try to implement the individual tasks. The first task being to gather the most important representatives, members of the opposition, so we can initiate the transition process in Syria."