Lavrov asserts the need to resolve the crisis in Syria and preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity

On July 24th, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated that only the Syrian people can decide the future of their country without outside interference.

During a press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Cairo, Lavrov stressed the importance of the international community supporting the solution in Syria in a way that preserves the country’s unity and sovereignty.

On the other hand, Lavrov noted that he had held a constructive dialogue with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, explaining that relations between the two countries are progressing significantly and that there is agreement on a number of regional and international files.

He pointed out that the African-Russian summit will take place in the middle of next year, welcoming all the initiatives of the Egyptian side to join the Shanghai initiative.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, Lavrov stressed the need to work on solving this issue with Egyptian mediation and in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

With regard to the Ukrainian crisis and its relationship to the global food crisis, Lavrov stressed that Western countries prevent Russian ships from entering foreign ports, and this plays a role in the existence of the food crisis.

“Moscow does not demand the lifting of sanctions, but on the issue of food, the West must eliminate the problems it has created, and it hopes that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will be able to solve the issue of sanctions that impede the export of Russian grain,” Lavrov said.

Lavrov noted that the passages in the Black Sea will ensure the transportation of grain, but that Kyiv must remove mines from the ports.

On the agreement signed in Istanbul this week for the extraction of Ukrainian grain, Lavrov said that Ukraine is supposed to guarantee that its territorial waters are cleared of mines and allow ships to leave from there.
He pointed out that the ships will be examined in the direction of the Ukrainian ports to load them with shipments of wheat, in order to ensure that no weapons are carried to the Ukrainian ports.

O. al-Mohammad