Lavrov: Russian Stand On Syria Relies on Reality Analysis
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed Russia cling to its vision concerning global issues, stressing need of settling most difficult issues in the world en masse and with mutual respect.
He stressed Russia’s belief in international collectivism to manage regional crises. He also underscored Russia’s conviction that no world power or group of powers can be allowed to violate international law.
In statements to the Russian TV marking Diplomats Day on Sunday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that ” that the Russian position concerning Syria and Iran “relies on the analysis of reality.”
He pointed out that his country, contrary to the majority of other countries concerned with the crisis in Syria, is engaged in a regular dialogue with all the parties concerned with the crisis in Syria, including the government and all the opposition parties, without exception.
Mr Lavrov spoke of the global crisis, regional conflicts, political instability and poor mutual confidence among world powers.
Lavrov supported the French intervention in Mali as fully legitimate.
The minister accused France of violating the United Nations ban on supplying arms to the sides in the Libyan conflict.
Russia does not plan to send a military contingent to the Middle East or North Africa, but wants to deal with those countries’ legitimate governments, he said.
“We will not fight for our positions by sending the military to the region and creating ‘another Afghanistan’ for ourselves. Never! Under no circumstances! We will maintain relations with all countries of the region by working with their legitimate governments,” he said.
Russia’s foreign policy is independent and principled, he said, and as such, it attracts international recognition and respect.
He quoted American vice-president Joseph Biden as saying to him in Munich that Russia and the US must use their positions as global nuclear superpowers for the purpose of maintaining stability in all parts of the world.
On the new US Secretary of State John Kerry, Mr Lavrov said on the ‘Sunday Night with Vladimir Solovyov’ programme on Rossiya-1 television on Sunday:
“I know a tour of the Middle East is one of his top priorities. This is easy to understand. An agreement has been reached to hold talks within weeks.”
On the other hand, Lavrov is to set out on an Africa tour today that will bring him to Algeria, South Africa, Mozambique and New Guinea.
In Algeria, the Russian foreign chief is expected to meet with the country’s leadership, including his Algerian counterpart Mourad Medelci. The talks will focus on the turmoil in North Africa, the Middle East and in the Sahel and Sahara region.
“We are going to pay considerable attention to the situation in the neighbouring Mali,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.
Standing high on the agenda of Mr. Lavrov’s Algerian trip will be new threats and challenges, such as transnational organized crime and terrorism in the light of the recent Algerian hostage-taking at a gas facility deep in the Sahara desert.
T. Fateh