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Russia and Kuwait call for immediate start of political process in Syria — Lavrov

It is necessary to stop the military hostilities, end the bloodshed and start a political process as soon as possible between Syrian government and opposition, the Russian Foreign Minister says
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Mikhail Metzel/TASS
Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
© Mikhail Metzel/TASS

SOCHI, November 10 /TASS/. Russia and Kuwait have called for immediate start of a political settlement in Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said after the Russian-Kuwaiti summit talks on Tuesday.

"We have a common stance on the Syrian crisis. It is necessary to stop the military hostilities, end the bloodshed and start a political process as soon as possible between Syrian government representatives and all opposition groups," Lavrov stressed.

"We appreciate Kuwait’s active role in mobilizing international aid for alleviating the humanitarian consequences of the Syrian crisis, especially in question of refugees," Lavrov said.

The Russian foreign ministry said that during the talks the heads of both countries discussed the situations in Iraq, Libya and Yemen. They also considered — with great concern — the years-long stalemate in the Middle East settlement, including the Palestinian problem.

"On the whole, our states have a common stance," the Russian foreign minister emphasized. "Any crisis in this region just like in any other part of the globe should be settled by the people of respective countries through active support of the world community, which should take account of the local realities," Lavrov stressed.

Fight against IS should be based on international law, without double standards

Uncompromising fight against the outlawed in Russia Islamic State terrorist organization is a priority for Russia and Kuwait, the Russian Foreign Minister said after Russian-Kuwaiti high-level talks.

"Our states share the view that any crisis should be settled by the peoples themselves with the active assistance of the international community that should nevertheless take into account the local realities," Lavrov said. "Of course, the number one priority for all of us is the uncompromising fight against the so-called ‘Islamic State’ and other terrorist groups," he said. "They threaten not only Syria and Iraq, but also other countries in the region, including Kuwait."

"We are certain that this evil can be defeated only by consolidated joint efforts based on international law, without double standards, in order to prevent the seizure of power by terrorists in that or other country of the region," the foreign minister said.