Russian Foreign Ministry urges Syrian parties to participate in Geneva talks without preconditions

Moscow, SANA-Russian Foreign Ministry called on all Syrian parties to participate in Geneva talks without preconditions, reaffirming Moscow’s firm and principled stance on the need to reach a political solution for the crisis in Syria.

“Moscow hopes that all Syrian opposition groups are ready for talks and calls on all parties of intra-Syrian peace talks to abandon preconditions for a peaceful settlement,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a press conference on Friday.

She added that the opposition “should work according to the principle of broad and inclusive representation because this is what ensures a real political settlement for the crisis.”

Zakharova pointed out that Geneva talks represent a turning point in the Syrian settlement in terms of the search for solutions and ways to find a peaceful settlement, adding that the Syrian government’s delegation has arrived in Geneva and is ready for talks.

“Syrian opposition groups that were formed as a result of the meetings of Moscow and Cairo are also ready for constructive cooperation without any preconditions,” Zakharova said, hoping that the Riyadh’s opposition list will announce its readiness to join to the talks.

Claims that Russia allegedly derails the Syrian peace talks are absurd, Zakharova said.

“As for the accusations from some representatives of the Syrian opposition delegation that Russia is allegedly to blame for derailing the Geneva talks, they are complete nonsense. Russia has been one of the initiators of the dialogue between representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition.”

Zakharova underlined that the opposition’s delegation should not include terrorists from ISIS or any other terrorist organizations.

She reiterated Moscow’s principled stance that only the Syrian people should decide the fate of their country.

“Any statements that somebody out there knows better how Syria should live and what the president should do and when he should leave may turn Syria into a new Libya.” She added.

She stressed on the necessity of unifying the international efforts to combat ISIS and reach a political settlement to the crisis in Syria, pointing out that Russia is helping the Syrian government in fighting international terrorism.

Manar al-Frieh/Manal

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