(VOVworld) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the agreement between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on a new cease-fire for Syria scheduled to take effect this Saturday.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry holds a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh on Feb. 21, 2016, in Amman (Getty Photo)

Ban believes the agreement, if respected, would constitute a significant step forward in the implementation of Security Council resolution 2254, giving the UN an enhanced role in shepherding the opposing sides to talks for a political transition, with a timetable for a ceasefire, a new constitution and elections.

Ban stressed that the agreement between two co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) demonstrates its commitment to exert influence on the warring parties to bring about an immediate reduction in violence as a first step towards a more durable ceasefire. He added that it contributes to creating an environment conducive for the resumption of political negotiations.