The heads of the Russian and Syrian interagency coordination headquarters (ICH) for refugee return issued a joint statement following Thursday's ICH meeting. According to the document, signed by Syrian Minister of Local Government and Environment Hussein Makhluf and Mikhail Mizintsev, head of Russia's National Defense Management Center, they call on the United States to end sanctions pressure and withdraw its troops from Syrian territory.
"The unprecedented sanctions pressure by the US and its European allies, as well as the illegitimate presence of foreign military contingents on the territory of Syria have a negative impact on the socio-economic and humanitarian situation in the country. And the political conditions they put forward, which are allegedly necessary for the expansion of humanitarian assistance and early reconstruction work, prevent the establishment of peaceful life in the republic and contravene UN Security Council resolution 2585. We are convinced that only the consolidation of efforts of the entire international community in humanitarian assistance to Syria, as well as the lifting of illegal sanctions against the Syrian people can give a new impetus to the process of internal Syrian political settlement and allow progress toward the post-conflict reconstruction of the republic," reads the joint statement.
In addition, it notes the desire of other countries to politicize humanitarian issues, in particular the topic of providing assistance to the Syrian population exclusively through cross-border humanitarian corridors. At the same time, contrary to the UN Security Council resolution, all attempts to deliver humanitarian goods by alternative means (through the contact lines), including to the de-escalation zone in Idlib, are blocked.
"This state of affairs contradicts UNSCR 2585 and demonstrates the West's intention to continue supporting militant-controlled enclaves in order to maintain areas of tension in the country. We call for an end to the politicization of humanitarian activities in the Syrian Arab Republic and not to ignore the importance of resolving the population's social problems," the statement said.
On Thursday, a joint meeting of Russian and Syrian interdepartmental coordination headquarters for the return of refugees to the places of permanent residence was held in Damascus. The meeting was held via videoconference between Moscow and Damascus and was attended by representatives of the UN, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations carrying out tasks in Syria.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from TASS