Putin Sees “Promising Moments” to Solve Crisis in Syria

ASTANA- Some “promising moments” have emerged in the Syrian settlement and there is a real chance to consolidate the cessation of hostilities, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Astana, Itar Tass reported.

“Lately, promising moments have emerged in the Syrian crisis development and this is directly linked to launching a series of regular international meetings in Astana with the mediation of Russia, Turkey and Iran,” Putin said.

 “The most important achievement is the agreement on ceasefire between the government forces and the armed opposition, and on creating de-escalation zones in Syria. Now on this basis a real chance has emerged to consolidate ceasefire and give an impetus to the intra-Syrian negotiating process in Geneva,” the Russian leader said.

Putin warns IS plans to destabilize southern Russia and Central Asia

Putin said that the so-called Islamic State terror group (IS, outlawed in Russia) plans to destabilize the situation in southern Russia and Central Asia.

“We have information that the IS has been making new plans to destabilize Central Asia and southern Russia,” he said. This is why, in Putin’s words, “there is a need to strengthen coordination between the SCO member states’ special services, particularly through the regional counterterrorism agency.”

Putin also said that clandestine IS groups were active in the SCO member states, which was proved during the investigation into the metro terrorist attack in the Russian city of St. Petersburg. “Besides, terrorists based in Afghanistan have been seeking to enter our countries which cause much concern,” the Russian president added.

A global threat

Only fair and meaningful cooperation between the states may help defeat terrorism, the Russian president has added.

“In order to defeat this scourge [terrorism], all countries should join their efforts for fair and meaningful cooperation based on international law.”

Putin added that the fight against terrorists should be uncompromising. According to him, there is also a need to remove social and economic reasons for terrorism and combat the spread of extremist ideas. In this connection, the Russian president stressed that the role of the SCO’s counterterrorism agency was increasing, besides, the Convention on combating terrorism, planned to be signed at the current SCO summit, would also be very important.

Putin has also proposed that the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group resume its activities.

“Just like our SCO partners, Russia stands for finding a political solution (to the Afghan conflict) through agreements made by the Afghan people,” he said. “The Shanghai Cooperation Organization could take more active steps in this direction. We propose that the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group, suspended in 2009, resume its activities,” the Russian leader added.

Putin pointed out that the situation in Afghanistan was crucial as far as ensuring regional stability was concerned. “It is obvious that efforts to find a military solution to the domestic Afghan conflict will lead nowhere,” he added.

SCO expansion

The Russian president noted the growing role of the SCO’s regional anti-terror body. An important step to enhance the legal basis of its activity is the Convention on Combating Extremism, which the SCO leaders will sign on Friday, he said.

“I’m sure that together we will step up efforts for the political and diplomatic settlement of regional conflicts, namely in the Middle East and in particular in Syria,” Putin said.

“The expansion will undoubtedly help the SCO become a more powerful organization and will also increase its political, economic and humanitarian influence,” the Russian leader said.

At Thursday’s summit, India and Pakistan will become full-fledged SCO members. “New opportunities are emerging (for the SCO), as far as influencing the regional and global processes is concerned,” Putin pointed out.

H.M