Medvedev: The Syrians Should Decide Future by Themselves

 Vientiane, Laos(ST)_  “The biggest task now is how to help the Syrian people to decide their fate by themselves , and  the situation in Syria raises the utmost concern,”  said the Russian prime minister Dmitri Medvedev  in a speech on Tuesday before the 9th ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) summit .

 The Russian position concerning the crisis in Syria is based on the need that the Syrians should themselves determine the future of their country, rather than by any international organizations or other forces, reiterated premier Medvedev.

 Regarding the Iranian nuclear program, the Russian Prime Minister confirmed Iran’s right to develop a peaceful nuclear program, noting that the Russia position to this effect is that any nation, including Iran, has the right to develop a peaceful nuclear program under the international control to this activity.

 He called for further steps to improve the legal frameworks for energy security, noting the need to create a new structure of cooperation in the field of energy so as to meet the interests of all participants.

 He added that under the conditions of the changing global energy sector, the new threats to the stability of energy markets require measures to improve the legal basis for cooperation in the field of energy.

 The 9th ASEM (Asia-Europe) summit opened in Laos, Vientiane, November 5. The event is attended by Russia’s premier  Dmitry Medvedev. His two-day visit includes bilateral meetings with Laos President Choummaly Sayasone, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf of Pakistan.

 Worthy mentioning that ASEM was established back in 1996 and now comprises 48 European and Asian countries and organizations. Russia joined the club two years ago and this year the forum welcomes new members: Norway, Switzerland and Bangladesh. ASEM doesn’t make any binding decisions but provides a forum for dialogue and exchange of opinions between Europe and Asia.

Lavrov: We Do not Want to Change our Position Concerning Syria

Both the Russian Foreign Minister Sergy Lavrov and King Abdullah II of Jordan on Tuesday  announced support for the efforts of the UN envoy to Syria Lakhder Ibrahimi to halting violence in Syria.

“The two sides agreed to help Ibrahimi efforts to instantly stop all acts of violence by all parties and end  the suffering of the Syrians and launching the dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition, ” said the  Russian foreign ministry in a statement.

The two sides stressed almost identical stances to settling conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, the statement read.

“The statement of the working group on Syria adopted in Geneva is the basic reference for a political solution in Syria , with an emphasis on supporting the mission of the UN special envoy to Syria Lakhdar Ibrahimi,” said the Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, in a joint press conference with his Jordanian counterpart, Nasser Joudeh in Amman on Tuesday.

The statement continued that the armed opposition in Syria carries out terrorist acts in Syria, noting “we have information that it received 50 Stinger missiles from  foreign sides.”

“Those who call for the resignation of Syrian President do not care about the lives of the Syrians and Russia does not support this position,” Lavrov added, stressing that any change in Syria should stem from the Syrian people, without any foreign interference.

Replying to a question on the possibility of changing the Russian position, concerning Syria, Lavrov said:” We do not want to change our position.  We are convinced that the Syrian opposition cannot do anything now. We are working to persuade both the government and the opposition to work according to the Geneva Accord to stop hostilities and violence and to start talks immediately. “

  T. Fateh