Resolution No. 2254 and Vienna Statements Should Be Implemented by All Parties to Make Intra-Syrian Dialogue a Success: Gatilov

MOSCOW, (ST)- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov on Tuesday held meetings with the head of the Syrian Arab Republic’s delegation to the Syrian-Syrian dialogue in Geneva Bashar al-Jaafari, representatives of the “secular democratic Syrian opposition” delegation and China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN in Geneva Yu Jianhua, Fu Cong.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said the meetings focused on issues relating to the Syrian-Syrian dialogue and its agenda.

 Gatilov stressed the need to guarantee a serious representation of all spectra of the Syrian opposition in the dialogue, the ministry added.

It pointed out that Gatilov reiterated that all the rules provided in the UN Security Council resolution No. 2254 and in the Vienna statements should be implemented.

According to the ministry, Gatilov affirmed the need that talks in Geneva should start without preconditions and that Russia rejects linking the launching of dialogue to other files.

Gatilov also affirmed Russia’s adherence to helping the Syrian people fight terrorism, the ministry noted.

 On Tuesday, the Syrian Arab Republic’s delegation to the Syrian-Syrian dialogue in Geneva held a second meeting with the UN Chief’s Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura. Head of the delegation, Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari told reporter following the meeting that Syrian government delegation came to Geneva without preconditions and it won’t accept any preconditions by anyone.

“We are still at the stage of preparations for the indirect talks between our delegation and that of the opposition groups. We don’t know until this moment the delegation that will represent these groups,” he said.

Hamda Mustafa