The UN special envoy for Syria announced Friday that a new round of talks to discuss constitutional principles for a peaceful Syria will begin next month in Geneva.

Axar.az reports Geir Pedersen told reporters at the UN that there was "some common ground" after five days of talks.

"So, when the next meeting will be starting on the 25th of January, the COVID situation allowing, what we will be discussing is then constitutional principles or basic principles of the Constitution," he said.

"I'm very pleased to be able to inform you that the small body … have now agreed. And I think this is actually the first time we have managed to do that," Pedersen said.

The round of negotiations to secure peace in Syria began Monday in Geneva, with heavy restrictions placed by the UN on access to delegates because of the pandemic.

The small constitutional committee is important, said the UN envoy.

"It can build trust and confidence. And it can start to address some key issues in the conflict. And it can be a door opener, and as I've also added, it cannot alone resolve the conflict," he said.