Moscow-Sana
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that the process of a political solution to the crisis in Syria is proceeding steadily despite the objective difficulties, and in the first place the Coronavirus pandemic.
Lavrov said during his meeting in Moscow today with the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen that the situation is marked by remarkable stability in the greater part of the Syrian territories, despite the fact that the fight against terrorism is still characterized by urgency with the continued presence of terrorist outposts on Syrian soil.
Lavrov indicated that the humanitarian aid for civilians and the provision of conditions for the return of refugees to which the Damascus International Conference was devoted in this regard is present in the first place, adding: We see additional needs to activate the political solution efforts and the steps that the UN envoy is taking to speed up the resumption of the work of the constitution discussion committee.
Lavrov recalled that “the Constitution Debate Committee was formed at the initiative of the Troika Astana, which continues its work and accompanies the process of political solution in all aspects affirmed by Security Council Resolution No. 2254, which provides for the unconditional respect by all members of the international community for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Syria. Noting that the positions of the two sides are very close in relation to the implementation of Resolution 2254.
Lavrov stressed that the continued illegal presence of foreign forces inside the Syrian territories that does not meet these criteria constitutes one of the aspects of the problem that should be solved.
The Special Representative of the Russian President for Middle East and African Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov also discussed with Pedersen the work of the constitution discussion committee and issues of facilitating the return of Syrian refugees.
A statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry said today that "during the talks an in-depth exchange of views took place on the development of the situation in Syria, and special attention was given to resolving the crisis there on the basis of Security Council Resolution 2254, including the work of the discussion of the Constitution Committee in Geneva."
The statement pointed out that the importance of mobilizing international efforts to facilitate the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland was indicated, including in line with the results of the international conference on this issue that was held in Damascus on the 11th and 12th of this November.
The closing statement of the International Conference on the Return of Syrian Refugees affirmed the firm adherence to Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity, and rejected all attempts to undermine its sovereignty, stressing Syria’s readiness not only to return its citizens but to continue all efforts to provide decent living conditions for them.