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Middle East and North Africa

Russia welcomes Damascus’s readiness to participate in Geneva II without preconditions

The meeting brought together Russian presidential envoy to the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov and the Syrian governmental delegation

© ITAR-TASS/EPA/SALVATORE DI NOLFI

MOSCOW, November 19. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia welcomes Damascus’s readiness to take part in an international peace conference Geneva II without preconditions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said after the meeting on Monday.

The meeting brought together Russian presidential envoy to the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov and the Syrian governmental delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and presidential advisor Busein Shaaban.

“They had a comprehensive exchange of opinions on the situation in Syria, including its humanitarian aspect. A focus was placed on the preparation for the international conference Geneva II,” the ministry said.

“The Russian side expressed satisfaction with Damascus’s readiness that had been repeatedly confirmed to take constructive part in this forum without any preconditions and the intention announced by the Syrian representatives to further improve interaction between Syria’s authorities, international humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organizations to ease sufferings of Syria’s civilian population caused by the continuing armed confrontation in Syria,” the ministry said.

The Syrian delegation “highly appreciated Russia’s efforts aimed at providing assistance to the soonest possible political settlement of the crisis in Syria,” the ministry said.

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Middle East and North Africa

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