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Conflict in Syria

Russia says Geneva communique remains basis for Syria political settlement

The communique outlines all necessary measures and steps and also highlights the need to start dialogue between Syria's warring sides, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov says

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov ITAR-TASS/Anton Novoderezhkin

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov

© ITAR-TASS/Anton Novoderezhkin

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Russia sees shifts in US stance on Assad — diplomat

MOSCOW, September 22. /TASS/. Russia will not put forward any new proposals to the United Nations for a political solution to the conflict in Syria, remaining committed to the Geneva communique, Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said on Tuesday.

"We are not going to put forward any new ideas to the UN [for a political settlement in Syria]," Gatilov said. "The most important thing now is not to search for new ideas but to find a solution to the problem on the basis of the Geneva communique from 2012."

Gatilov said the document, issued on June 30, 2012 after a meeting in the Swiss city of Geneva of the UN-backed Action Group for Syria, "remains the main basis for a political settlement". He noted that the communique "outlines all necessary measures and steps" and also "highlights the need to start dialogue" between Syria's warring sides.

"If there is goodwill between conflicting parties and those external players who are able to steer them in the right direction, then good prospects exist for a political settlement," the diplomat added.

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