Lavrov: No secret agenda on Syria
"We have nothing to conceal. This is our common position," Russia's Foreign Minister stated
MOSCOW, January 16. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia, Iran and Syria have no secret agenda on the Syrian settlement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday.
“Today I’m holding talks with Javad Zarif (foreign minister of Iran). Tomorrow I’ll meet Walid Muallem (Syria’s foreign minister). This is not the tripartite format,” Lavrov said.
“Our countries’ position on the Syrian crisis is not unique. We want Syria to be a sovereign state, territorial integrity to be ensured and the rights of all peoples, who live in Syria, to be guaranteed. We want Syria to live in peace and security with its neighbors,” the Russian minister said.
“Of course, we like as the Syrian people and Iran want to eradicate terrorism on the Syrian territory. This is our common position. This is recorded in the resolution of the U.N. Security Council, including Resolution 2118, and in the Geneva communiqué,” he said.
“As for the fight against terrorism that prioritizes at present I want to rivet your attention to the Declaration adopted at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland last June when the G8 leaders urged the Syrian government and the opposition to join efforts in order to eradicate terrorism,” Lavrov said.
“We have nothing to conceal. This is our common position. I stress once again that the global community shares the position. Our goal is to contribute to settling the Syrian crisis,” the minister said.
“Only the Syrian parties can solve what ways they’ll move in compliance with the Geneva communiqué and U.N. Security Council Resolution 2118. Based on common accord the Syrian government and the opposition will be able to solve issues to move towards the goals, which are shared by the Syrian people and the global community,” Lavrov said.
Commenting on Tehran’s participation in the Geneva II Conference, Lavrov said “It is necessary to invite Iran to the forum.