MOSCOW, July 9 (Itar-Tass) — Moscow calls for ceasing violence in Syria as soon as possible and starting a political dialogue in the country, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Opening the talks with the Syrian opposition delegation on Monday, Lavrov said, “Russia is one of the countries, which actively works with the Syrian government and different opposition forces, in order to implement the Kofi Annan Plan.”
“This will become an important chance to carry out the agreements, which were reached in Geneva,” the Russian minister stressed.
Moscow seeks to implement what was reached at the Geneva communiqu· – to cease violence and start a political process that will allow the parties to decide their fate, Lavrov said.
Addressing head of the Syrian delegation Michel Kilo, Lavrov said he considered him Syria’s patriot. “I hope that our assessments will be useful for us,” the minister noted.
For his part, Kilo said Syria had become an arena for an international conflict.
“Now Syria has become an arena for an international conflict,” Kilo said.
“Russia and we seek to stabilize the situation in the country,” he added.
Kilo stressed that he favoured a national dialogue. “But alas, the regime does not satisfy our demands and it says we do not represent the Syrian people,” he said.