Lavrov: No links between cessation of hostilities and start of intra-Syrian talks

Paris, SANA – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said there are no links between the cessation of hostilities and the start of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva.

“There are no links between the regime of cessation of hostilities and the start of [intra-Syrian] talks. All these processes should develop in parallel, in a stable way and at an increasing speed,” Russian TASS news agency quoted Lavrov as saying in statements on the sidelines of the Normandy Four group in Paris on Thursday.

The cessation of hostilities “is not limited in time”, added Lavrov, reiterating that “the ceasefire regime, humanitarian aid delivery, promotion of the political process that should cover all Syrian sides of the government and opposition.”

“There may be no preliminary links or conditions,” he said.

Lavrov noted that there were attempts to “present it like the regime was imposed for two weeks.” “It’s a distortion, the ceasefire regime has no timeframes, there are no links with anything,” he said.

The Russian Foreign Minister pointed out that he is convening on March 9 in Geneva a meeting of the Syrian sides that will open the way for talks.

“This will be a process involving several groups of the Syrian opposition, and there will be contacts between the UN, various oppositionists and the government delegation. I hope they will later meet in one room,” he added.

H. Said

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