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Conflict in Syria

Japan intends to conduct dialogue with Russia on Syria at various levels — government

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga declined to comment on the beginning of the Russian Aerospace Forces operation in Syria

© EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

TOKYO, October 1. /TASS/. The Japanese government intends to maintain dialogue with Russia on the Syrian problems "at various levels," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said on Thursday, answering to reporters’ questions concerning the Russian air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria.

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"We want to continue close cooperation with the international community, above all, with the United States for the speedy improvement of the situation in Syria," Yoshihide Suga noted. "Also, we would like to exchange views on the issue with the Russian side at various levels." He declined though to comment on the beginning of the Russian Aerospace Forces operation in Syria. "Since we do not have detained information on this issue, I would like to leave it without comment," he said.

On Wednesday, the upper house of the Russian parliament unanimously gave the president approval to use the Russian Armed Forces abroad. Kremlin chief of staff Sergey Ivanov noted "it was solely the operation of the Russian Air Force" against Islamic State in Syria at the request of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

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Foreign policy Syria Syrian conflict

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