Syria support conference begins in Brussels

By Meltem Bulur

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey will not send representatives to an upcoming Brussels-based conference on Syria, diplomatic sources said on Tuesday.

Anadolu Agency was told Ankara had not received a satisfactory response to its expectations from conference organizers.

The meeting is considered a continuation of the London Conference on Supporting Syria held in February 2016.

Turkey expected high-level attendance and a format which could ensure its maximum contribution in the conference.

Diplomatic sources confirmed Turkey would however join the technical session of the conference in order to contribute to efforts to support Syrian refugees.

The two-day conference on Syria begins Tuesday and is co-chaired by the European Union, Germany, Kuwait, Norway, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United Nations.

It will gauge whether the international community fulfilled commitments made at the London conference last year and ensure additional support for people affected by the Syria crisis.

Turkey, currently hosting around three million Syrian refugees, has played a significant role in reaching a ceasefire deal between the fighting parties over recent months.