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Conflict in Syria

Switzerland supports Russian efforts to settle Syrian crisis — FM

The Swiss minister has also noted the efforts exerted by the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura while the Russian foreign minister has pointed out Switzerland's efforts

© Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

MOSCOW, April 11. /TASS/. Switzerland supports Russia’s efforts for the political settlement of the Syrian crisis, Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter said on Monday after talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"The political settlement should be achieved at last," the Swiss minister said. "In this regard, we consider very useful the talks that have been launched, including thanks to Russia’s efforts. We support this activity, as well as the efforts exerted by the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura."

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"We are very concerned with the Syrian issue," Burkhalter added. "First of all, it involves the suffering of people in Syria, because Switzerland is very much occupied with the humanitarian aspects and the conflict settlement issues from this very viewpoint."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has pointed out Switzerland's efforts to assist numerous forms of international support for the intra-Syrian dialogue.

"Of course, we discussed the situation in Syria," the minister said. "We are grateful to Switzerland for assistance to numerous forms of international support for the intra-Syrian dialogue, including the provision by Geneva of a venue for the start of the intra-Syrian talks to be held between the Syrian government and the whole spectrum of the opposition. Special efforts by the UN representatives with the support of the co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group represented by Russia and the United States are currently being taken to this end."

The Intra-Syrian talks resumed in Geneva on March 14-24, after the UN Special Envoy for Syria suspended the round that lasted from 29 January to 3 February, in view of continuing violence and lack of humanitarian relief on the ground. The United Nations envoy said in early April the Geneva talks are planned to be resumed on April 13. Participants will begin to arrive in Geneva from April 11. The government delegation is expected to arrive on April 14 or 15. The previous round of the indirect intra-Syrian talks was held in Geneva on March 14 through 24.

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Foreign policy Sergey Lavrov Switzerland Syrian conflict

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