#Moscow: #Geneva Conference should be held without preconditions Nov 27, 2013 Moscow, (#SANA) – Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, stressed the importance of holding the international conference on Syria, Geneva 2, without preconditions, pointing out that there will not be perfect circumstances for holding it. Lavrov said in a press conference held in Moscow Wednesday that the sides that try to propose conditions for convening Geneva 2 are basically seeking to postpone it or even abort it. Lavrov said that there cannot be perfect circumstances to hold the conference, adding that the sides that are waiting for a military balance on the ground or are waiting for some kind of support to a certain party are actually trying to derail or completely annul the conference. He stressed that the US and Russia have a common stance in this regard, adding that according to the discussions with the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, the conference should be held without preconditions. Russia, which has been eager for the Geneva 2 to be held earlier, will try to utilize the period before convening the conference scheduled on 22nd of January to consult with all Syrian sides, the Russian Foreign Minister said. Lavrov pointed out that Russia is discussing with different opposition forces the issue of hosting a meeting among opposition parties, noting that all opposition sides that Russia communicated with have expressed interest in participating in the meeting. The UN announced on Monday that Geneva 2 will be held on 22nd of January. Bogdanov: Brahimi will head for the Middle East soon Special representative of the Russian President for the Middle East affairs, deputy foreign Minister Michael Bogdanov said that the UN Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi will head for the Middle East soon. Brahimi will discuss details of preparations for the upcoming preliminary meeting ahead of the international conference on Syria due to be held on January 22, Bogdanov told RT in an interview. He quoted Brahimi as saying that the latter prepares for another tour to the region, including Syria, to make extra consultations. Russia, Italy welcome announced date for Geneva 2 In another context, Lavrov and his Italian counterpart, Emma Bonino, stressed in Rome that the time before holding the international conference on Syria in Geneva can be seized as to convince the countries which have rejected the conference to participate in it. The Italian news agency AKI quoted the Italian Foreign Ministry as saying that the two sides welcomed the decision of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, on setting January 22nd as the date for Geneva 2 conference. sana.sy/eng/21/2013/11/27/514677.htm
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 03:08:32 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015