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Conflict in Syria

Russian ambassador to UN says there is progress in Lavrov-Kerry talks on Syria

The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier that Lavrov and Kerry had already met several times in New York

© Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP

UNITED NATIONS, September 22./TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State John Kerry have managed to achieve progress in talks on Syria, Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters.

He said the ministers continue the talks, and will possibly hold one more meeting later in the day. In reply to the question whether progress was seen in discussion, he said "Of course".

The Russian Foreign Ministry said earlier that Lavrov and Kerry had met several times in New York, where the general discussion of the UN General Assembly is underway. On September 20, the diplomats met ahead of a session of the International Syria Support Group. A new meeting of the Group is expected within the next few hours.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who held thirteen-hours-long talks in Geneva, coordinated on September 9 a package of five documents aimed to bring about ceasefire in Syria and to lay down the foundations of a resumption of the political process.

The documents feature the separation of the armed opposition and terrorists and envision the delivery of joint Russian-U.S. airstrikes. They also specify a procedure for reacting to violations of the ceasefire and some aspects of delivery of humanitarian aid millions of people are wanting badly.

The cessation of hostilities regime came into effect from 19:00 Moscow time on September 12. However, the Russian Defense Ministry has repeatedly drawn attention to violations by the opposition.

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