Lavrov: Opportunities Available to Move towards Political Settlement in Syria

MINSK, (ST)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stressed that opportunities are available to move towards political settlement in Syria.

Lavrov’s remarks were made during a joint press conference in Minsk on Monday with his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei.

On his part, the Belarusian foreign minister stressed that there is no alternative for political talks as to solve the crisis in Syria.

 Russia, Belarus Concerned About NATO Moving East, US Air Defense

 Lavrov also said that Russia and Belarus are concerned about NATO fueling confrontation and expanding toward the east.

“In regard to European security, we share a concern regarding our colleagues from NATO countries trying to drag us into confrontation, moving their infrastructure to the east, close to our borders. Neither Russia nor Belarus favor such a confrontational line,” Lavrov told reporters, according to Sputnik.

Moreover, Belarus and Russia have agreed to jointly develop “adequate response measures” to the deployment of US missile defense systems in Europe, Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei said.

“We will cooperate on developing adequate response measures. This is a very sensitive topic for us. Western partners are now talking about deploying additional forces in a number of our neighboring countries” Makei told the reporters, answering a question on US missile defense in Europe.

Upon his arrival at Minsk, Lavrov said he will discuss European security issues, situations in Ukraine and Syria during a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

“The international situation demands tight coordination on issues over European security, the Ukrainian crisis, and the situation in the Middle East,” Lavrov said.

Daesh Terrorists Supported by Countries Neighboring Syria, Iraq – Lavrov.

Meeting a group of instructors and students in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, Lavrov stressed that Daesh terrorists, who are prohibited in numerous countries including the United States and Russia, are receiving support from countries bordering Syria and Iraq.

“There is support coming from the outside, especially from those who neighbor Iraq and Syria,” Lavrov said.

 Hamda Mustafa