MOSCOW, June 27. /TASS/. Foreign Ministers of Russia and Syria Sergei Lavrov and Walid Moualem will discuss on June 29 in Moscow the situation in that Arab republic in the context of fighting the Islamic State.
"The key topic of the ministers' meeting on June 29 will be a discussion of the complicated situation in Syria and around it," the Russian foreign ministry said in relation to the visit of the Syrian foreign minister to Moscow due on June 28-30.
"Lately, anti-governmental forces, and first of all the terror groups of the Islamic State and Jabhat an-Nusrah are trying to expand their influence on the Syrian territory," the foreign ministry said. "The international community is concerned about the information the IS militants seized the Syrian city of Palmira, which monuments are on the UNESCO Heritage List."
"The basis of Russia’s principle line in the Syrian affairs is support of sovereignty, unity and territory integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, there is no alternative to a settlement of the strictly domestic crisis in that country by political and diplomatic means."
In the context of the problem related to fighting international terrorism and extremism, Moscow says, more than a year the U.S. is chairing the so-called international anti-IS coalition "the main burden in fighting the terrorists is still taken by the Syrian Armed Forces and the Kurds’ militia."
"The reason is in the continuing use of the double standards by the West, as they are ignoring the commonly adopted international-legal base of counter-terrorism, including a categorical refusal from coordination with Damascus," the Russian foreign ministry said.
The foreign ministers will discuss in details the compliance by international and regional players with provisions of the UN Security Council’s resolutions 2170, 2177 and 2199.
Another important issue is "the vital task of resuming the political process of the inner Syrian settlement."
"The demand for it and the necessity of it is growing in the world and in the Middle East," the Russian foreign ministry said. "An effective elimination of the terror centre in Syria is connected directly with the consolidated actions of the Syrian government and of all constructive forces of the Syrian outside and inner opposition, who are for sovereign, independent and modernised Syria, where all ethnic and confessional groups could be living comfortably and safely."
"This dictates a necessary launch of a direct dialogue between official Damascus and the wide range of the Syrian opposition on the basis of a complex, without extractions and loose interpretations, implementation of the Geneva Communique of June 30, 2012 without a pressure or interference from outside."
Establishment of the process of the kind will take a major part of the negotiations, the foreign ministry said.
The top-ranking diplomats will exchange views on results of the Moscow meetings, which featured representatives of the Syrian opposing groups and the civil society.
"A major event in the movement on the political track was the wide Geneva consultations, initiated by the UN Secretary-General’s envoy on Syria Staffan de Mistura, which featured delegations of the Syrian opposition and certain involved parties."
The agenda of the talks will also include current aspects of bilateral relations in various spheres, and Russia’s further humanitarian assistance to Syria’s people.