Dr. Mikdad reviews with Bogdanov the latest developments of the situation in Syria & efforts exerted to enhance security and stability

Moscow (ST): Minister of Foreign Affaires and Expatriates , Dr. Faysal Mikdad reviewed today with Russian President’s Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, the latest developments of the situation in Syria and the efforts exerted  to enhance security and stability.

In this context, the two sides expressed satisfaction over the success of the International Conference on the Refugees Return which was held in Damascus last month and the importance of following up efforts to facilitate the voluntary return of refugees and putting an end to the politicization  of the humanitarian situation practiced by the West in service of its agenda in Syria.

They also reviewed the latest developments of the political process. Stress was laid on the necessity that this process should be solely Syrian  without any foreign interference in its work or its results. It was agreed to follow up the coordination and consultation between the two friendly countries in this domain.

The meeting was attended by the special advisor at the presidency Dr. Buthaina Sha’aban, Assistant Foreign Minister Dr. Ayman Sousan and Syria’s ambassador to Russia Dr. Riyad Haddad.

Al-Mikdad, Ryabkov condemn western countries’ attempts to politicize the OPCW’s work

Al-Mikdad also held talks with Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov dealing with the efforts that have been exerted by Syria to implement its obligations resulted from joining the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), hailing Syria’s cooperation with the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The two officials condemned the western countries’ attempts to politicize the work of the OPCW and to deviate it from its charter and objectives, stressing that these attempts endanger the organization’s credibility and independency and turn it into a tool that serves the agendas of western countries at the expense of the OPCW technical work which was specified by the CWC.

Al-Mikdad highly appreciated Russia’s stance which calls on the OPCW to maintain its  neutral role.

He condemned some countries’ attempts to use this organization in targeting Russia, particularly regarding the so-called ” Navalny” case.

Concluding their talks, Al-Mikdad and Ryabkov agreed on continuous contacts and coordination between the delegates of the two countries to the OPCW with the aim of maintaining the role of the organization and preventing its exploitation by certain parties that seek implementing their own agendas in the world.

K.Q./Hamda Mustafa