By Fatih Erel

GENEVA 

The next round of Syria peace talks in Geneva is expected to begin next week, on Feb. 23, the UN announced Monday.

"The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to ensure a successful confirmation of arrangements for the convening of intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva. We can confirm that letters have been sent today, and also that consultations are continuing," Mistura’s office said in a statement.

This will be the first time Syrian regime and opposition delegations have returned to Geneva since the talks were suspended in April 2016.

"It is expected that delegations would arrive in Geneva on or about 20 February to enable prior consultations with the Special Envoy and his team before the formal start of intra-Syrian negotiations planned for 23 February 2017," the statement added.