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Moscow still ready to provide platform for Syrian dialogue -Lavrov

Lavrov recalled that the meeting with the delegation of the Syrian government led by Foreign Minister Walid al-Mualem will take place in Moscow soon

MOSCOW, February 20 (Itar-Tass) – Moscow is still ready to provide a negotiating platform for the start of the dialogue between Syria’s government and opposition, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said after the first session of the Russian-Arab Forum at the ministerial level on Wednesday.

“We do not set such goal (the meeting of the sides in Moscow), we are working on launching the dialogue, and where and at what level it will take place the sides should decide themselves,” he said. “At the same time it is desirable that they do not lay down conditions to each other. It is necessary for them to choose their negotiators, what the Geneva communique requires, and to agree where to meet.”

“We will support any variant,” Lavrov said. “If suddenly this happens and they feel comfortable to start dialogue in Moscow, undoubtedly, we will provide all necessary opportunities for this,” he said.

Lavrov recalled that the meeting with the delegation of the Syrian government led by Foreign Minister Walid al-Mualem will take place in Moscow soon.

“The date of the visit of the leader of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, Moaz al-Khatib, probably early March, is being finalized,” Lavrov said. “We will talk sincerely with both of them working on the creation of conditions for the start of direct dialogue.”

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