Russian Foreign Ministry: Main issue during al-Moallem’s visit to be current situation in Syria

Moscow, SANA –  Russian Foreign Ministry said Syrian Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister Walid al-Moallem pays a two-day work visit to Russia on Wednesday upon the invitation of his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

In a statement published Tuesday, the Russia Foreign Ministry said the main issue that will be tackled during al-Moallem’s visit will be the current situation in Syria, which is still very tense and increasingly threatened by a number of extremist groups, including ISIS and al-Nusra Front.

The Ministry stressed that Moscow is calling for combating terrorism as it poses a threat to safety and security in the Middle East and other regions, adding that the Syrian government is shouldering the greater burden in an operation that is being carried out by the US and its allies who aren’t even coordinating with Damascus.

The statement said that fighting terrorism effectively on the international level cannot be reached without commitment to the principles of the international law, and that forming new coalitions to fight terrorism is not necessary as the international community had set many tools and measures to this end, on top of which is the UN Security Council.

The Ministry highlighted that the extremists are committing heinous crimes including human trafficking and terrorizing minorities on a large scale in Syria and Iraq.

The statement said that as the US is trying to be the only one that defines the aims and manners of counterterrorism, the visit of al-Moallem will prioritize the tangible role played by Russia and Syria to combat terrorism in accordance with the UN resolution nos. 2170 and 2178.

The Ministry also asserted that continuing to pursue a political solution in Syria is still a necessity, calling for joining forces and supporting a Syrian internal dialogue, based on the Geneva communiqué issued in June 30th 2012, and without foreign interference or preconditions.

The statement said that carrying out this process will be one of the primary issues to be discussed during the meeting with the Syrian delegation, adding that Moscow will reiterate its readiness to sponsor communications between representative of the Syrian government and large portion of political and social forces from the Syrian society.

The Ministry added that the initiative of the UN envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura will also be tackled, as it worth supporting since it can be applied practically in a manner that might save lives and help thousands to return to their normal lives.

Mohammad Nassr / Hazem Sabbagh

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