Moscow Voices Concern on Attempts to Counterproductive Resolution on Syria

Local Editor

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich stated on Friday that the preliminary results of the follow-up meeting of the so-called Syrian National Coalition in Istanbul are not encouraging.

"Judging by media reports, the meeting held by [the so-called National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces in Istanbul] representatives in Madrid this week and the meeting that opened in Istanbul are not yet encouraging," he noted at a press briefing in Moscow.
"Generally speaking, they [the Syrian opposition] are doing everything possible to dilute the idea of the conference and cancel the principles of the Geneva Communique," Lukashevich argued.

Moreover, Lukashevich said that Moscow was concerned with attempts to promote "a counterproductive resolution" on Syria at the UN session on human rights in Geneva.
"It is utterly evident that it again refers to attempts to obstruct the implementation of the US-Russian agreements on Syria reached in Moscow, to set narrow political interests ahead of stopping the bloodshed in Syria and to ensure success of coherent political and diplomatic efforts of the international community in favor of establishing the dialogue in Syria," Lukashevich said at a briefing in Moscow.

"No doubt that the participation of all influential, including regional, sides is necessary for the successful beginning of the international conference on Syria," Lukashevich said.
Furthermore, he believed that a date for the said conference cannot be set because it is not even known who will represent the Syrian opposition at the event.

"Certain decisions of Syrian opposition groups, including those adopted at the [ongoing] meeting in Madrid and at the session of the so-called Friends of Syria Group in Amman, have caused our disappointment," he added.
Moreover, the Russian diplomat voiced hope that constructive approaches will prevail during the opposition's upcoming contacts.
On a similar note, Moscow declared that Damascus has agreed "in principle" to attend the Geneva international peace conference on the Syrian crisis to take place next June.

"We note with satisfaction that we have received an agreement in principle from Damascus to attend the international conference, in the interest of Syrians themselves finding a political path to resolve the conflict, which is ruinous for the nation and region," The FM spokesman told reporters.

Source: News Agencies, edited by website team