Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Related Articles
Moscow, SANA – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia is committed to resolving the crisis in Syria and will continue to provide all sorts of aid to the Syrians to help realize the unity of their people and to strengthen steadfastness of the Syrian state in confronting terrorism and building a new future.
During his meeting with delegations of the Syrian government and opposition figures in Moscow on Wednesday, Lavrov said “we are open to all sides that seek to help launch a political process in Syria on the basis of the UN Charter.”
He asserted that that Russia’s stance regarding what happened in Syria is principled and firm, and that it supports finding a solution by the Syrians themselves on the basis of the first Geneva Communiqué.
The Russian Foreign Minister said that Syria is going through a difficult stage, with thousands dead and millions leaving the country, while terrorists and extremists from all over the world gather in Syria, adding that Russia is certain that after overcoming the crisis, Syria will regain stability as a sovereign, secular state that enjoys territorial integrity and prosperity.
He said that realizing these goals can only be done by employing a political solution in a manner specified by the Syrians and the Syrians alone, noting that all Syrians are aware of the risk posed by imposing foreign solutions that reflect geopolitical ambitions of other countries.
Addressing the delegations, Lavrov said that they are the ones that truly love Syria because they put its interests above personal considerations and gains and met to find a way to restore peace to their country, voicing satisfaction over Russia’s success in organizing this meeting.
The Minister said that the delegations’ meeting in Moscow shows the Syrian people’s trust in Russia regardless of political affiliation, noting that the goal of moving to dialogue for solving urgent issues requires huge efforts, including the readiness to give concessions and finding compromises because this is the only way for saving Syria and overcoming the forces that seek to attack the Syrian people, undermine Syria’s sovereignty, and spread international terrorism in it.
Lavrov said the key to the solution is for everyone to realize the need for unity in the face of the mutual threat of terrorism, noting that the attendants have no delusions about the likelihood of solving all problems within the few days of talks in Moscow, but this process must be launched as soon as possible.
He said that the participants in the meeting tried to outline the points they have in common, which are Syria’s unity, sovereignty, independence, and secularism, then moved on to other points, adding that all this requires implementing reconciliations, facilitating humanitarian aids, and resolving the status of combatants who handed in their weapons, as well as releasing detainees who are not involved in terrorist acts.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s support for resolving the crisis by the Syrians and on the basis of the Geneva Communiqué of June 30, 2012, the true meaning of which is that the solution for the crisis must comply with the interests of all Syrians, stressing that all foreign attempts, whether through military operations or through imposing the policy of dictations, undermine the spirit of the Geneva Communiqué.
The Minister said that such a process will be long and difficult, which requires additional efforts, noting the positive effects of the steps taken by Egypt to help in this regard and welcoming all efforts by states or international organizations that seek to create suitable circumstances for launching a comprehensive, national inter-Syrian dialogue.
He added that Russia sees great potential in the mission of UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, as he poses ideas that merit more consideration by all the sides.
“We will be very glad if the talks in Moscow would help move forwards towards a peaceful solution, and I wish you success, Lavrov said
Rasha Milhem / Hazem Sabbagh
