Russia’s representatives in Syria task forces meet with Spanish diplomats

MADRID, May 27. /TASS/. Russia’s representatives in the Geneva-based Syrian humanitarian and ceasefire task forces met with diplomats from the Spanish foreign ministry, a diplomatic source told TASS on Friday.

According to the source, the meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere. Spanish participants included Director General for Foreign Affairs at the Spanish Foreign Ministry Ignacio Ibanez.

"The Russian diplomats informed their Spanish counterparts about Russia’s approaches as a co-chair of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and a representative in the humanitarian and ceasefire task forces, as well as about Russia’s priorities in the area of observing the ceasefire, humanitarian deliveries and the political intra-Syrian process in Geneva," the source said.

Another issue raised at the meeting was the necessity to "close the Turkish-Syrian border to prevent infiltration of gunmen and weapons." "It was stressed that a balanced approach is needed to the problem of deliveries of humanitarian aid, that such aid should be offered to all those in need in Syria," the source noted, adding that the Russian side focused on the fact that bigger attention is needed from the United Nations’ humanitarian agencies to the problem of temporarily displaced persons "as they are potential refugees."

Apart from that, "it was stressed that the European Union should lift its anti-Syrian sanctions which hit civilian population," the source said. "It was also stressed that it is necessary to ensure inclusive nature of the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva, in particular, participation of a wide spectrum of Syria’s moderate opposition."

"The Spanish took our approaches with interest and understanding and said they shared some of the approaches to the key aspects of the Syrian settlement," the source said, adding the visit was organized at the initiative of the Spanish side.

"The Russian side emphasized Span’s important balancing role in the International Syria Support Group and in the Geneva-based task forces. The Spanish side expressed gratitude for inviting it to the International Syria Support Group," the source underscored.