Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Russia will fully support all efforts aimed at resuming the political process in Syria in a way that takes into consideration past mistakes.
Lavrov's comments came during his meeting with the U.N. Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, who is visiting Russia for the first time since being appointed to the position in July.
Lavrov said that Russia is ready to provide support to efforts aimed at resuming talks among the Syrians, highlighting the need for wide representation of the Syrian opposition and the participation of Syria’s neighboring countries.
Regarding talks on solving the crisis in Syria, Lavrov said that the Geneva Communiqué of 30 June,2012 constitutes a strong foundation for their resumption, adding that the fundamental principle is the need to create conditions under which all Syrian sides and representatives of political powers “will decide by themselves on the future of their homeland.”
He noted that “many problems are based on the situation in Syria, among them the growing terrorist threat in the Middle East”, adding that any solution to the crisis in Syria must satisfy all sides.
Lavrov indicated that Russia welcomed the appointment of Mistura as U.N. Special Envoy for Syria and said it has called for a resumption of political efforts to solve the crisis in Syria.
Mistura stressed the need for solving the crisis through political dialogue, excluding the possibility of any military solution.
Translated and edited by The Syrian Observer
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