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Lavrov hopes for continuity in dialogue with new UN envoy for Syria

The Russian minister especially noted the contribution to the work to implement Resolution 2254 made by former UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura

© Sergei Savostianov/TASS

MOSCOW, January 21. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expects consistency in the dialogue with new UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen.

"We definitely highly value our cooperation in the Astana format and with the UN in promoting the political process in correspondence with [UN Security Council's] Resolution 2254. So, we hope for continuity and your working experience both in the structures of your homeland and in international organizations, including the UN," Lavrov said at a meeting with Pedersen on Monday.

The Russian minister especially noted the contribution to the work to implement Resolution 2254 made by former UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, highlighted that the joint efforts of the UN, Russia and the Middle East countries made it possible to achieve numerous results "on land" in Syria, including humanitarian issues.

The Russian foreign minister also noted that there is the growing understanding in the region that it is necessary to apply more efforts now to create conditions which would facilitate the return to Syria of citizens which had to leave the country. "Just a few days ago participants of the meeting of the League of Arab States for economic issues spoke in favor of supporting Syria, so that the refugees could return faster," Lavrov specified.

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