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Russia ready to look for generally acceptable way to settle Syrian crisis

Russia is ready to look for a generally acceptable way to settle the Syrian crisis within the United Nations platform

MOSCOW, February 17 (Itar-Tass) —— Russia is ready to look for a generally acceptable way to settle the Syrian crisis within the United Nations platform, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday, commenting on the UN voting on the Syrian resolution proposed by a number of Arab and Western countries.

“A paramount importance must be given to the interests of the Syrian people, to peace and security in the entire region,” the ministry said.

“On February 16, the United Nations General Assembly voted on a draft resolution on Syria proposed by a number of Arab and Western countries. Russia and a number of other countries voted against this resolution,” the ministry noted. “We proceed from the fact that the text of this resolution practically echoed that of a draft resolution of the United Nations Security Council Russia and China vetoed on February 4, since it was also of an apparent biased character and placed all responsibility for what is going on in Syria solely on the government of that country.”

“Nonetheless, we showed our readiness to take part in the work on the text of a draft resolution of the United Nations General Assembly to make it more balanced and submitted our amendments and remarks stating our approach to the Syrian settlement,” the ministry went on. “We urge all parties to the conflict to put an end to violence, to take measures to prevent any foreign interference, especially by force methods, to impose no settlement scenarios, and to launch an intra-Syrian dialogue on political reforms in the country.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted with regret that “co- authors turned down all our amendments to the drafts, and it influenced Russia’s position on it.”

“Altogether, we are ready, in cooperation with international partners, to look for a generally acceptable way to settle the Syrian crisis on the United Nations platform,” the ministry stressed. “A paramount importance must be given to the interests of the Syrian people, to peace and security in the entire region.”

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