Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted the close coordination between Moscow and Damascus on key international issues in his welcoming speech at the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry. The event marked the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Syria.
The greeting was delivered by Mikhail Bogdanov, the Special Representative of the Russian President for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Minister of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“It is gratifying that at the current stage of development of bilateral relations, Moscow and Damascus closely coordinate their steps on all key issues on the international agenda. In the difficult geopolitical realities of our times, such mutual support is of particular importance,” Lavrov stated.
Lavrov also emphasized the longstanding commitment of Russia to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of Syria.
“The rich history of Russian-Syrian ties eloquently testifies to the fact that the Soviet Union and then the Russian Federation have always been committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of the Syrian Arab Republic,” he said.
“We have always proceeded and continue to proceed from the premise that the Syrian people should decide their own fate without any outside interference, as enshrined in the decisions of the UN Security Council. We consistently adhere to this position today,” Lavrov concluded.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on TASS materials