President Assad: Russia’s Policies in support of States Sovereignty, Independence and Peoples Right to self-Determination strengthened its role on International Arena

DAMASCUS, (ST)_ President Bashar Al-Assad met yesterday, Sergei Ryabkov, Russia ‘s Deputy Foreign Minister.

Ryabkov conveyed congratulations of the Russian leadership to President al-Assad on the occasion of winning the presidential elections and stressed that these elections show Syrian people’s cling to their sovereignty, rejection of foreign interference in their internal affairs and the stand of the Syrians behind President Assad and in support for his policies, stressing Russia ‘s firm positions in acting as Syria’s friend and partner in order to establish security and stability in the region.

Ryabkov also praised the great efforts made by Syria to get rid of chemical weapons, stressing that Syria’s ability to implement its commitments in this issue in spite of the difficult conditions it has been facing and in fighting  terrorism, simultaneously shows the Syrian state’s credibility in implementing its obligations.

For his part, President al-Assad expressed Syria’s appreciation  for Russia ‘s positions in support of the Syrian people and stressed that Russia ‘s policies in support of the sovereignty and independence of states and the right of peoples to self-determination have strengthened its role on the international arena, confirming Syria’s keenness to continue coordination and consultation with Russia in serving the interests of the peoples of the region and the world.

President al-Assad pointed to the dangers of the escalated terrorism and extremism in the region on regional and international security and stability, stressing that these dangers require the concerted serious efforts of all countries to confront them by all various possible ways.

The meeting was attended by Walid al-Moallem, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Butheina Shaaban, the Syrian Presidency Political and Media Advisor, Dr. Faisal al-Miqdad Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and Sergey Vershinin, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Middle East department and Acting Russian ambassador at the Russian embassy in Damascus.

T. Fateh