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Middle East and North Africa

Moscow welcomes decision of Syrian opposition to participate in Geneva-2 conference

"The most important thing is to launch intra-Syrian talks,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said

MOSCOW, January 19, 18:28 /ITAR-TASS/. Moscow welcomes the decision of the Syrian National Coalition of Revolutionary and Opposition Forces to participate in the Geneva-2 conference for Syria, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov who is Russia’s special envoy for the Middle East said on Sunday.

“This is the right decision. We have kept saying that it is necessary (for the Syrian opposition) to go to the forum and enter into dialogue with the government as it is said in the Geneva communiquй of June 30, 2012 and as it is fixed in the Russian-American initiative and resolution of the United Nations Security Council 2118,” the Russian diplomat said.

“This is going to be the foundation for the conference. The most important thing is to launch intra-Syrian talks,” Bogdanov went on to say.

“We expected such a decision,” he added.

“The most important thing (for the national coalition) is to send a strong delegation to Geneva. As we understand, intensive contacts are now under way between representatives of various organizations and leaders,” Bogdanov went on to say.

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Middle East and North Africa

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