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Conflict in Syria

Italian top diplomat praises Russia for key role in reaching political solutions for Syria

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni says he hopes Russia’s efforts will help "launch political transition in Syria"

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni Alexandr Sherbak/TASS

Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni

© Alexandr Sherbak/TASS

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Lavrov says Russia-US equal dialogue on Syria helped to achieve success

MOSCOW, March 25. /TASS/. Russia has played a key role in reaching a political result needed for the Syrian settlement, Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said on Friday after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov.

"From Italy’s point of view, Russia has played a key role in generating the impulse that was needed for reaching a political result [in Syria]," he said, adding he hopes Russia’s efforts will help "launch political transition in Syria."

"The nearly month-long ceasefire is to be reinforced by a new stage in the talks brokered by United Nations Secretary General’s Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura," Gentiloni said and expressed the hope it will be real talks when the parties sit down at the negotiating table to negotiate a new model of government.

"If the truce is not followed by the next step - progress in political negotiations and forming an inclusive government, there is a risk that this fragile situation will bring about no fruit we all count on," the Italian top diplomat said.

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