UNITED NATIONS, June 6. /TASS/. Russia expects from the European Union constructive participation in international efforts towards political settlement in Syria on the basis of agreed parameters that are to be fulfilled completely and unconditionally, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin said on Monday.
"The cessation of the conflict in that country would be a serious basis for de-escalation of tensions in the Middle East from where waves of instability are spreading to all neighboring regions, including Europe," he said at a United Nations Security Council meeting dedicated to the United Nations’ cooperation with regional organizations in peace maintenance efforts. "Several countries of the European Union are members of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG). We expect from them unbiased and honest work that would contribute to our collective efforts."
He hailed the meeting of European Union’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini with the leader of the Syrian government delegation to the Geneva peace talks Bashar al-Jafari on the sidelines of the March round of talks and stressed the importance of keeping the channel for dialogue between the European Union and the Syrian authorities open. "Such contacts are definitely necessary," he said, adding that pressure on Damascus is unlikely to yield a desired effect.
"As for where such pressure is really necessary, it is on those who continue to support terrorists, including the notorious Al Nusra," Churkin said. "Flexibility at talks is needed from all the parties."
According to the Russian diplomat, the key obstacle on the path of political process in Syria is the position of the so-called High Negotiations Committee (HNC). "Representatives of the HNC’s radical wing are not disposed towards compromises and are focused on overthrowing the current authorities instead," he said. "Nevertheless, due to some reason Brussels has arrived at a conclusion that these people are the only mouthpieces of the Syrian opposition. But it is an exaggeration, to put it mildly."
The Russian diplomat stressed that it is of principal importance to ensure wide representation of the Syrian opposition, including the Kurds from the Democratic Union Party, which is openly opposed by the Turkish side. "We hope that our European partners will use their influence to solve this and other acute problems that are rooted in Ankara’s egoistic and destructive policy on Syria," Churkin said. "Resolute steps are needed to make Turkey abandon its policy of infringement on Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, block channels of external support to terrorists, and finally close the Syrian-Turkish border.".