President al-Assad: Syria determined to solve the crisis through two tracks, counter-terrorism and political process

Damascus, SANA- President Bashar al-Assad received on Monday a Russian-European joint parliamentary delegation headed by Russian State Duma Deputy Chairman Vladimir Vasilyev.

During the meeting, President al-Assad talked about the latest developments in Syria and responded to the delegation’s queries regarding the situation of the Syrian people after six years of war.

The President affirmed that what is going on in Syria is a conflict among countries that want to maintain the international law, mainly Russia and China, and others that violate this law through their support to terrorist groups and interference in the internal Syrian affairs.

President al-Assad added that Syria is going ahead in its vision to solve the crisis through two tracks, combating terrorism and the political process, affirming that Syria is open to hold dialogue with anyone who lay down arms and abide by the constitution.

The President  said that the process of reconciliations enjoys a support from the Syrian people and it has achieved positive results that rescued the lives of many people and protected many areas, adding that without this support the Syrian state would not be able to proceed in it.

President al-Assad hailed the Russian support to Syrian people in their war against terrorism, adding that officials in European countries who pretend concern over the Syrian people have to stop supporting terrorist groups and put pressure on countries that fund these groups to stop that because it is also in the interest of their people.

The President  said that the visits of the parliamentary delegations to Syria are very important, adding that what distinguishes this visit is that it is a joint delegation from Russia and Europe and therefore it provides a useful opportunity for dialogue among parliamentarians about the polices of their countries toward events in Syria.

In turn, members of the delegation stressed the importance of international intensified efforts to fight terrorism, considering that the stances of European countries towards what is happening in Syria have begun to change when European officials felt that the danger of terrorism began to reach their home countries.

They considered that the intervention in the internal affairs of other countries brings nothing but only chaos, stressing the importance of dialogue among the Syrians to agree on any step regarding the future Syria.

In the same context, Speaker of the People’s Assembly Hadiyeh Abbas met the Russian-European parliamentary delegation.

She said “we rely on the European parliamentarians and representatives of the peoples of Europe to correct the wrong European policies towards Syria and enhance cooperation and coordination to combat terrorism since it is the only way to protect the Europeans.

For his part, head of the delegation underlined the need to boost the joint parliamentary cooperation between Syria and Russia, noting to the delegation members’ keenness on revealing the real image of what is taking place in Syria and convey it to their peoples.

The Russian State Duma Deputy Chairman Vladimir Vasilyev indicated to the warm atmosphere of the delegation’s meeting with President al-Assad which lasted for three hours during which the President shared his viewpoints on key issues and listened to their perspectives, views and notes.

He stressed that it has now become clear to all that the Syrian leadership is essential to the dialogue aimed at solving the crisis in the country, adding that President al-Assad briefed the delegation on the latest political developments and the Syrian army’s achievements on the ground.

Vasilyev laid stress on the necessity of pushing forward the political dialogue with all forces and enhance the political process in Syria for the sake of the country’s future.

He reiterated the Russian leadership, government and Parliament’s support to Syria’s right to fight terrorism and its extremist ideology, pointing out to the need for eliminate terrorism before its prevailing throughout the entire world.

The head of delegation noted that the Russian State Duma Committee on Foreign Affairs has prepared an agenda which includes proposals which Syria, and even other states, need, the most important of which is the Constitution.

He extended an invitation to the Speaker of People’s Assembly to visit Russia in April.

In a press conference, Vasilyev said the visit to Syria aims at inspecting the reality of what is taking place on the ground and offer the delegation members’ parliamentary expertise to the Syrian MPs.

He described the meeting with President al-Assad as “constructive and fruitful”, noting that the delegation members, including the European parliamentarians, were satisfied and delighted over the outcomes of the meeting.

Vasilyev said that the delegation has submitted several proposals and thoughts to President al-Assad, including opinions about constitution, encouraging local reconciliations and truces.

The formation of a constitutional committee and its work mechanism were also discussed, he added.

He indicated to the small number of countries which provide humanitarian aid to Syria such as Russia, China, Iran, Armenia and Azerbaijan, calling for mobilizing efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.

Vasilyev highly appreciated the efforts exerted by the Syrian people and leadership to solve the crisis in Syrian as soon as possible, adding that the Russian forces’ participation in combating terrorism in Syria came upon request from the legitimate Syrian government and in line with the international law.

Manar/R.Raslan/Mazen