Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said on Tuesday that his government is ready for joint efforts to seek a political solution to the more than seven-year crisis, state news agency SANA reported.

Al-Moallem made the remarks during his meeting with the new UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen, who arrived in the capital Damascus early on Tuesday for the first time since his recent appointment.

Meanwhile, Pedersen, a Norwegian diplomat, said he would carefully listen to the opinions of the Syrian government in order to achieve progress in the political process.

Earlier in the day, the new UN envoy told reporters that he hoped to have substantial and productive talks with Syrian officials during his three-day visit.

Pedersen’s predecessor, Staffan de Mistura, resigned his position over personal reasons after four years as the UN envoy to Syria.

Source: Agencies