Thursday, June 27, 2013

Moscow Stresses Necessity of Speeding Up International Syria Conference

Moscow stresses necessity of speeding up international Syria conference

Jun 27, 2013

Moscow, (SANA)_Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed in a phone call with the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan the regional situation, mainly the situation in Syria.

Kremlin said in a statement on Thursday that the two sides ''expressed readiness to coordinate efforts for a political settlement to the crisis in Syria,'' adding that they agreed to continue contacts.

Lavrov stresses necessity of speeding up international Syria conference

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov stressed the necessity of expediting the convening of the international conference on Syria in Geneva.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Lavrov informed during a phone call his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu on the outcomes of the Russia-US-UN meeting in Geneva on June 25 to prepare for the international conference on Syria.

Lavrov affirmed that stress was put during the meeting on the importance of the conference that will help in reaching a political settlement to the crisis, the statement added.

The ministry said that the two sides agreed to continue contacts on the subject.

Russia, US and UN delegations convened a meeting in Geneva a couple of days ago aimed at paving the way for holding the international conference in Syria.

Moscow, Damascus lay emphasis on political solution to Syria crisis

Meanwhile, Russian President's Special Representative to the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov discussed with the Syrian Ambassador in Moscow Riad Haddad the situation in Syria and the region.

In a statement following the meeting, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that ''Moscow and Damascus emphasize the political solution to the crisis in Syria without preconditions.''

The statement added that the two sides exchanged views on the preparation for the international conference on Syria according to the Russian-US agreement on May 7th.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that the two sides stressed common understanding of the necessity of ending violence in Syria and moving to the political settlement in accordance with Geneva communiqué issued on June 30, 2012.

Russian Foreign Ministry slams Saudi stance on crisis in Syria

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Alexander Lukashevich, slammed the stance of Saudi Arabia on the crisis in Syria, calling for stopping the "dangerous acts" such as funding and arming the international terrorist groups and extremists.

Lukashevich denounced the statement of Saudi Foreign Minister, Saud al-Fayssal, and his allegations about the situation in Syria.

Russia Today website pointed out that Lukashevich's comments came after the Saudi minister implicitly accused Russia of taking part in the crisis.

Russia denies it has evacuated personnel from Tartus resupply base

In a relevant context, the Russian Defense Ministry denied news that it has withdrawn all personnel from the Material-Technical Support Point in Tartus.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that the media reports on the issue are ''grossly untrue,'' adding that there is no Russian military serviceman in the resupply point which has Russian civilian employees carrying out their mission.

"They are continuing to work in a regular mode, and there is no talk about their evacuation from Tartus," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Tartus remains the official base and repair facility for the Russian ships in the Mediterranean and is continuing to fulfill its mission.

"The Russian Defense Ministry denied similar reports earlier this year that Russia had withdrawn military personnel from the naval base in Tartus due to 'deteriorating situation' in Syria.

M. Ismael

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