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Lavrov accuses Syrian militants of increasing activities to thwart Geneva talks

March 23, 2017 at 2:14 pm

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Russia, on 9 March 2017 [Nikita Shvetsov – Anadolu Agency]

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday that the increasing militant activities in Syria is intended to thwart the negotiations due to begin in Geneva, Sputnik news agency has reported.

Speaking at a press conference, Lavrov expressed Moscow’s hope that the new round of talks in the Swiss city will lead to positive results and that all those invited to the negotiations would participate in a direct dialogue. He added that the Russian government understands the Assad regime’s decision not to welcome UN envoy Staffan de Mistura.

Read: Syrian opposition says not yet ready to attend Astana talks

“It is a sovereign issue of the Syrian government,” he explained, even while pointing out the need for dialogue.

I expect that everyone who was invited to Geneva will arrive, and that a business-like conversation will take place with the participation of all the Syrian parties.

There is no way around direct dialogue and we support UN Special Envoy Staffan De Mistura’s efforts to facilitate direct talks on Thursday.

The Russian minister stressed the need to find a solution which involves the Kurds in the Geneva talks. This is difficult, he noted, due to Turkey’s position.

The minister said Moscow reiterates its support for the agreements reached at the previous round to keep discussing at the intra-Syrian talks which would include preparing the constitution, elections and the fight against terrorism.

In conclusion, Lavrov described the attempt by the Syrian opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) to take the right to be the sole opposition negotiator as “the path toward a dead-end.”

The next round of the Geneva talks is scheduled for 23 March.