Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Lavrov in Paris: ‘Ready to Cooperate with Turkey to Solve Syrian Crisis’ | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55353650
Caption:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a news conference with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault (not seen) following their meeting at the Quai D’Orsay in Paris, France, June 29, 2016. Reuters/Jacky Naegelen


Paris-Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov has put the ball in the Western court, especially the U.S. in addition to the regional parties that support the Syrian opposition, as he held them all responsible for the continuation of war in Syria after they failed to fulfill their obligations.

Lavrov pointed his fingers at the Syrian opposition, which is submitting “provocative” proposals regarding the political solution, and the U.N. special Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura, who has become pro-High Negotiations Committee.

“The problem will be resolved when our Western partners convince their ‘moderate’ protégés to withdraw from the positions of the Al-Nusra Front,” Al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Syria, which is fighting the Damascus regime, Lavrov says.

The Russian minister gave his statement after meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault as both parties discussed hot topics, including Ukraine, Atlantic Summit in Warsaw, Nagorno-Karabakh, Middle East conflicts, and precisely the war in Syria.

For his part, Ayrault said his talks with his Russian counterpart were “frank.” Diplomatically, this means that the two parties’ stances are not alike.

The French minister confessed that there are common and different points of agreement between Paris and Moscow, but they have to work together in order to reach a solution.

He noted that all parties, including regional ones, should contribute to restoring ceasefire, delivering humanitarian aid and resuming political negotiations. He also requested from the Saudi and Iranian ministers of foreign affairs to do so, during their recent meetings in Paris.

On the other hand, the Russian minister confirmed that the ongoing normalization between Moscow and Ankara could help in finding a solution for the Syrian conflict.

“I believe we and our Turkish partners will resume cooperation to solve the Syrian crisis,” Lavrov said.