Russia “Did the Right Thing” by Starting Anti-Terrorism Campaign in Syria: Lavrov

On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held his annual press conference to review the results of Russian diplomacy in 2016.

On international terror threat

Sergei Lavrov started his presser by commenting on the issue of the threat of international terrorism, which became the main threat in 2016, according to Russian Foreign Minister.

Moscow regrets the fact that international community “still cannot create a united front against terrorism,” Lavrov said.

 “Of course this causes serious concern and regret. Why is this happening? There may be many reasons. We see that the problem of forming common ranks to fight terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking, many other threats, this problem is becoming systematic,” Lavrov said at the press briefing, according to Sputnik.

 Lavrov further said that Russia welcomes cooperation on the anti-terrorism effort from any country. He pointed out that Russia is ready to cooperate with the US, EU and NATO on the basis of mutual respect. He stressed that such cooperation must be achieved without imposing foreign values on partners and allies.

 

“We are looking for closer ties with those who are ready to work with us on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation, respect of one another’s interests and balance of interests,” Lavrov told reporters.

 “This is our position in relations with partners and allies around the world. We are ready to follow the same guidelines of equality and mutual respect when building ties with the US, EU and NATO – without importing values,” he continued, adding some of those values had been tainted.

On the Syrian issue

When asked about Russia’s take on how the crisis in Syria could be resolved, Lavrov replied that only the Syrians themselves can decide their future.

Moscow believes that the mechanisms of settlement of the crisis in Syria can still be revitalized, Lavrov said.

“It is quite possible to breathe new life into these mechanisms, considering that the new US administration claims it aims to combat terrorism for real,” Lavrov told reporters.

 “We are now preparing the meeting in Astana. We think it would be the right move to invite representatives of the UN and representatives of the new US administration to this meeting, given that it will take place on January 23, as it is currently planned. We hope that the new administration will be able to accept this invitation, it will be represented by the experts, at any level, which it will consider possible. It will be the first official contact, where it will be possible to begin discussions on enhancing the efficiency of the fight against terrorism in Syria,” Lavrov said.

Commenting further on the upcoming Astana talks, Russian Foreign Minister said that the aim of the talks will be to consolidate Syria cessation of hostilities and involve the so-called “opposition” field commanders. He stressed that more “opposition” militants have the right to join the cessation of hostilities and many more militants have asked to do so.

“We believe that field commanders should become full-fledged members of this process, I think, it should not be limited only by those specific groups that signed a ceasefire agreement on December 29, any other armed groups wishing to join these agreements, should have such an opportunity,” Lavrov said.

“These talks lack the participation of those who actually define the situation on the ground,” Lavrov said. “Call them ‘armed militants,’ ‘armed opposition groups’.”

On Russia’s military campaign in Syria

Russian Foreign Minister said that Russia “did the right thing” by starting its anti-terrorism campaign in Syria.

“We are sure that we took the right decision when we responded positively to a request of the legitimate government of Syria, a UN member state,” Lavrov told the press conference.

“I think it is very important that we managed to repel terrorists from Damascus and added.

On the solution to the Syrian issue

War in Syria and in other regional countries can be stopped primarily by force, Lavrov said.

“The war may be stopped, and the rights of Christians, Muslims and other people who have lived all their life in Syria, in other regional countries, may be ensured first of all through the use of force, because it is necessary to beat terrorism ruthlessly and beat it completely,” Lavrov told reporters.

 “That is what we are doing, helping the Syrian army and supporting forces, who jointly with the Syrian army are involved in the fight against terrorism.”

He pointed out that the US wanted to use Daesh and al-Nusra Front terrorist organization to topple the Syrian government.

On expectations from Astana talks

Answering the question about what Russia realistically expects to achieve during Astana talks, Lavrov started by pointing out that these talks will be different from any previous efforts because those parties that define the situation on the ground, not just political “opposition”, will be present.

Moscow hopes that Western countries will not try to undermine cessation of hostilities agreements in Syria, Lavrov stressed.

H.M