Russian Ambassador in Damascus: Supporting Syria’s War on Terrorism a Strategic Russian Option

DAMASCUS, (ST)- Russia, as a true friend of Syria, has exerted intensive efforts to reach political solution to the crisis in the country, Russian Ambassador in Damascus Alexander Kinshchak said during a reception held Sunday evening marking Russia Day. He stressed that Syria and Russia are linked to each other by strong friendship, mutual respect and fruitful cooperation.

The reception was attended by senior Syrian state officials as well as a number of economic, religious, scientific, cultural, and social figures.

He asserted that “Russia never counted on any alternative for political solution to the ongoing crisis and sending Russian forces to Syria last year was a well-studied  step that aimed to encourage all parties inside and outside the country to adopt the peaceful option.”

 Kinshchak pointed out that his country’s contribution to the process of finding a solution to the crisis in Syria was not confined to fighting terrorism or to pressing ahead with settlement efforts. “The Russian contribution included also providing economic and humanitarian support for the friendly people of Syria,” he said.

“Supporting Syria in its war on terrorism is a strategic Russian option together with backing the local reconciliations and the political process which will be led by the Syrians through intra-Syrian dialogue.

In a statement to reporters, the Presidential Political and Media Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban hailed the historical ties between Syria and Russia and the current effective cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

“Despite Russia’s calls for unifying international efforts to counter terrorism, the West keeps rejecting to cooperate with Russia, but this will undoubtedly changed and the West will find itself compelled in future to cooperate with Russia, because terrorism recognizes no borders and the whole world should cooperate to combat this phenomenon.”

On his part, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faysal al-Mikdad said “Russia Day is an occasion to renew the alliance between Syria and Russia and to stress the strong cooperation between the two countries in all domains.

Hamda Mustafa