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Conflict in Syria

Russia-US-UN talks on Syria to be held in Geneva on July 26 — source

The meeting will involve Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry

© EPA/SANA / HANDOUT

GENEVA, July 21. /TASS/. Political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict in Syria will be the highlight of a high-level meeting scheduled for July 26 in Geneva, a well-informed source in the diplomatic quarters told TASS.

The meeting will involve Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

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"For the purpose of further Russia-U.S. cooperation on political and diplomatic aspects of settling the Syrian conflict, a trilateral Russia-US-UN meeting will be held in Geneva on July 26," the source said, adding that the UN Secretary General’s special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura was expected to attend it.

Russian Foreign Ministry’s official spokesperson, Maria Zakharova informed reporters of the forthcoming high-level consultations in Geneva as she addressed a news briefing earlier on Thursday.

She recalled the Russian-U.S. talks in Moscow that were held on July 14 and July 15. Russian officials said during conversations with Secretary Kerry steps towards a buildup of coordination in the struggle with terrorism ‘on a universal basis free of any double standards’ were necessary.

"We hope the American side will act on its promises to differentiate the moderate (Syrian) opposition from Jabhat al-Nousra," Zakharova said. "There’s no place for terrorists in a future Syria or in other countries of the region. They must be eliminated."

"Russia will continue to facilitate precisely this pattern of developments in various formats," she said. "Proceeding from this position, we’re preparing for participation in a high-level trilateral meeting in Geneva next week.".

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