Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen discussed on Thursday the full range of Syrian issues, including the results of the 15th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format, held February 16-17 in Sochi.
"The interlocutors discussed in detail the whole range of Syrian issues, including the situation on the ground in the Syrian Arab Republic, the tasks of providing comprehensive humanitarian aid and improving the socio-economic situation," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. - "They also discussed the results of the 15th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format, which was held in Sochi on February 16-17".
Lavrov and Pedersen also exchanged views on the humanitarian situation in Syria, focusing on the need for comprehensive assistance to Syrians in need throughout the country "without discrimination, politicization and preconditions." "[This] will certainly facilitate the voluntary and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons," the statement reads.
The sides also discussed the results of the work of the Syrian Constitutional Committee, whose fifth meeting was held in late January in Geneva. "There was a general opinion that there is no alternative to a political solution to the Syrian crisis through a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process based on respect for Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, as stipulated by the UN Security Council Resolution 2254," the document said.
In addition, the Russian side expressed support for the call of the UN Secretary-General to soften unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria against the background of the coronavirus pandemic.
The international meeting on the Syrian settlement in the Astana format was held in Sochi on February 16-17. As a result, the guarantor countries of the Astana process in a joint statement reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and agreed to continue the fight against terrorism in the territory of the Arab republic.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS