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Russia set to talk Syria govt, opposition into taking humanitarian steps before Geneva-2

Sergei Lavrov will have detailed talks with his Syrian counterpart Walid Muallem in Moscow January 17

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs ITAR-TASS/Stanislav Krasilnikov

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

© ITAR-TASS/Stanislav Krasilnikov

MOSCOW, January 16. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia intends jointly with U.S. partners and the United Nations Organization “to work intensively so that Syrian government and opposition take specific humanitarian steps to shape favorable atmosphere before a peace conference Geneva-2,” the Russian Foreign Ministry reported on Thursday.

“This is the conclusion of local ceasefires, exchange of prisoners-of-war and convicts and free access of relief supplies in the districts blocked by governmental forces and armed opposition,” the ministry said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry recalled that Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Walid Muallem would pay a working visit to Moscow on January 17. “Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will have detailed talks with him,” the ministry reported.

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