Lavrov: More Syrian “Opposition” Representatives Express Willingness to Be Invited to next Round of Consultations in Moscow

BEIJING-MOSCOW- Representatives of some Syrian opposition forces, who have not come for a meeting in Moscow, want to participate in the Moscow process, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday, according to Itar Tass.

He stressed that that echoes from the recently held Moscow Consultative meeting were positive.

“We are receiving positive feedback, which comes not only from the meeting’s participants, but also from those representatives of the opposition, who for different reasons could not take our invitations,” he said. “They are making it clear they would like to be invited, should the Moscow process be continued.”

“We shall have consultations with our counterparts,” Lavrov said. “We shall be working actively with Egypt, as Egypt has been undertaking steps to assist with formation of joint position from those who do not support what is happening now.”

“We have modest hopes we shall be able to assist in offering conditions for launching a full-fledged negotiation process, where Syrians, like it is written in the Geneva Communique, should achieve accord on all issues regarding life in their country,” the Russian foreign minister said.

Gatilov: Russia Ready to Press Ahead with Efforts to Ensure Continuity of Inter-Syrian Dialogue

Gennady Gatilov, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, affirmed Russia’s readiness to keep working to ensure the continuity of the inter-Syrian dialogue with the purpose of finding a political solution to the crisis in Syria. He pointed out that the goal of the recently held Moscow consultative meeting between delegations of the Syrian government and opposition “was achieved”.

In an interview with “Russia Today” Channel, Gatilov said the consultations were useful and such dialogue was important to create aground for more contacts to reach other dialogue formulas in future. 

The Russian diplomat went on to say that “all the parties which took part in Moscow consultations didn’t reject the announced Moscow document of principles, so everything is available to facilitate the continuity of the dialogue process and we are ready to press ahead with efforts in this direction.”

He asserted the need to enhance and speed up the international community’s efforts to fight the terrorist activities of the extremist organizations which continue to receive financial and arms support.

Hamda Mustafa