Russian President Vladimir Putin and UN Secretary-General António Guterres discussed stepping up collective efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic, the Kremlin press service said on Thursday.
It is noted that the conversation with the UN Secretary-General, who is on a working visit to Moscow, took place in the format of a video conference.
"During the conversation, the importance of stepping up collective efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic was stressed. The Russian side confirmed its intention to continue close cooperation with the UN and its specialized agencies on the vaccination and treatment of this particularly dangerous disease," the report said.
"Vladimir Putin spoke in favor of increasing the role of the UN in international affairs, emphasized the unique nature of this structure, designed to strengthen the interaction of the world community on all key issues of our time," the report said.
"In light of the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, it was stated that the primary task is to stop violent actions from both sides and ensure the safety of the civilian population," the report said.
"Support was expressed for the principle of a two-state solution based on relevant UN Security Council resolutions and generally recognized international legal norms," the statement said.
"In reviewing the humanitarian situation in Syria, concern was expressed over the tightening of unilateral sanctions against the legitimate authorities of the Syrian Arab Republic," the statement said.
"It was agreed to intensify coordinated efforts of Russia and UN structures in such areas of activity as facilitating the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, providing humanitarian aid, economic recovery and social infrastructure. Among the priorities is the promotion of the inter-Syrian constitutional process," the report reads.
"In addition, they discussed issues of settling the situation in Libya and Yemen, the situation in Afghanistan," the statement said.
"Attention was paid to joint steps in the field of ecology, including in the context of the problem of climate change," the report said.
"The topic of preparation for the World Conference on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue to be held in Russia in 2022 as the central event of the UNESCO International Decade for the Rapprochement of Cultures was also touched upon," the report said.
It is added that the UN Secretary-General also congratulated Putin on the 76th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, "noted the special contribution of the Soviet Union in the liberation of the world from Nazism."
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from RIA Novosti