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Shaaban Dismisses Change in Russian Stance as Baseless

Shaaban says Syria can play a key role in combating terrorism
Shaaban Dismisses Change in Russian Stance as Baseless

Presidential Political and Media Advisor Bouthaina Shaaban said Syria's resilience and logic in combatting terrorism can have a role in the international arena.

 

In an interview with Syrian TV on Wednesday, Shaaban said Syria could play a key role in combating terrorism as the Europe and American awareness against its risks has increased.

 

Shaaban pointed out that terrorist organization the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is not Middle Eastern or Arab made, but international, as the West has goals and strategies in the region, the top of which is the security of Israel through the weakening of Arab armies.

 

"The visit of the Syrian delegation to Moscow was successful as it proved Russia’s firm stance in supporting Syria in combating terrorism and Russia’s respect for the decision of the Syrian people, and its desire for Syria’s unity and territorial integrity,” Shaaban said, dismissing as “baseless” any change in Russia stance towards Syria.

 

Shaaban went on to say that Russia is playing a significant role in easing the impact of the role played by certain states like Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia in Syria.

 

She pointed out that the Russian and Syrian view is that an inter-Syrian dialogue is close, adding that there had been an agreement in Moscow to continue consultations between the two governments to establish a basis for this dialogue and its goals.

 

"The Syrian government, led by President Bashar al-Assad, believes the basis for dialogue should to be sound, solid and lead to a restoration of Syria’s security and safety,” Shaaban said.

 

She reiterated that the Syrian government had determined, during the Geneva conference 2014, that combating terrorism is a top priority for Syria and the region.

 

Shaaban pointed out that the Syrian government cares for the interests of Syria and its people and as such, deals with any envoy or proposal from this perspective, emphasizing that "Syria is waiting for the outcome of the U.N. envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura’s consultations with other parties".

 

She expressed hope that Russian-Turkish relations would help in easing Turkish hostility towards Syria as Turkey has led the war against Syria by facilitating the entry of terrorists, arming and training them.  

 

She expected that Turkey will change its policy in the future for many reasons, mainly for an internal one, as its policy in the region is doomed to failure and its consequences will affect the Turkish president and his foreign minister.

 

 

Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer

 

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