MOSCOW, December 25. The positions of Russia and Qatar’s close on the concept of security in the Persian Gulf. This was stated on Friday, the Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after talks with foreign Minister of Qatar Khaled bin Mohammed al-Atiya.
“Russia and Qatar occupy very similar positions in promoting the concept of security in the Persian Gulf with the participation of all riparian countries, – the Minister noted. – We shared today with Qatari side updated thoughts on the concept of security in the Gulf with the latest developments, including agreement on the settlement of the Iranian nuclear program and including a sharp increase in the terrorist threat to us all,” said Lavrov.
About the launch of inter-Syrian negotiations
Russia and Qatar have reached an understanding relative to how to facilitate the launch of inter-Syrian negotiations, said Sergei Lavrov.
“Today we have reached with Qatar understanding of how to facilitate this process (formation of the delegation of the Syrian opposition for talks with the government and their subsequent conduct – ed.), he said. – I will not reveal details, but a certain understanding is achieved.”
On the establishment of the delegation of the Syrian opposition
According to Lavrov, Russia and Qatar could help make the process of forming the delegations of the Syrian opposition in negotiations with the government were carried out constructively.
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“We are interested, like Qatar, Syria was a peaceful, independent, sovereign country that would respect territorial integrity, respect the rights of all ethnic and other groups – said the Minister. – This, by the way, the principles that we share not only against Syria, but also Iraq and Yemen”.
“And we should probably acknowledge that one of the most pressing issues in efforts in resolving the Syrian crisis are differences between Russia and Qatar, and other countries, in regard to the legitimacy of the current Syrian leadership, said Lavrov. And in this rests the process, which was launched in 2012, the Geneva communiqué, which aimed at opening negotiations for a peaceful settlement of this crisis”.
The head of the Russian foreign Ministry noted that “a very long time, the process was frozen, or rather he began.” “The main thing that in the last two months in Vienna, also in new York, at the meeting of the International support group of Syria, which includes the whole range of external players, were agreed upon steps, the steps for implementation of the Geneva communiqué.”
“We are celebrating a very positive evolution in the attitudes of many of our partners who continue to insist on the illegitimacy of the Assad regime and at the same time directly support the start of negotiations between the government and a broad spectrum of Syrian opposition – Lavrov said. – We see this approach supported”.
“And adopted in new York, the UN security Council resolution calls for all that such negotiations commence in January next year”, – the Minister reminded.
“Indeed, we have not managed to make it perfectly clear in the question of who will represent the opposition in these negotiations and who will be considered as unacceptable partners, as terrorist extremist groups – Lavrov said. – Most importantly, what to complete efforts to form the opposition’s delegation was entrusted to the special envoy of the UN Secretary General on Syria Staffan de Mistura, who, as is written down in UN security Council resolution, will have to rely on the determinations of the meetings of the opposition, which recently took place in Moscow, Cairo, Riyadh and elsewhere.”
“There are certain criteria, such as the need to involve to negotiations the widest possible range of opposition,” said Lavrov. “In our talks today we have the understanding with Qatari colleagues that we can contribute to the formation of this delegation and the start of inter-Syrian talks had been constructive, – said the Minister. – This understanding was achieved today, what are some specific ways we can help it”.
The Position Of Qatar
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In turn, Khaled bin Mohammed al-Attiyah said that Qatar and Russia share a common stance with regard to commitment to the territorial integrity of Syria and support the will of the Syrian people.
“Discussed the need to preserve stability in the regional and global scale, he said. Of course the situation in the middle East region, that region are going through a crises which took place during today’s negotiations, the main attention was paid to the Syrian issue”.
“In this regard, I note that we seek a political resolution to this crisis must come from the already reached agreements, said the foreign Minister of Qatar. – We with the Russian side a common approach on many issues, the major one is the commitment to the territorial integrity of Syria and support the will of the Syrian people”.
According to the Minister, Qatar agree with Russia that “the deterioration of this crisis does not favour the interests of either party”. “We understand that the delay in resolving this crisis brings harm to all parties and above all the Syrian people,” said Khaled bin Mohammed al-Attiyah.
“We understand that the Russian-Syrian relations, Russia’s relations with the people of Syria have a long history, – he added. – So we need to support a serious political process in order to put an end to this tragedy”.
According to the Minister, the position of Qatar is that you need to create in Syria transitional government body with full Executive powers, to establish security and stability in the country to ensure a political transition and to ensure a fair approach to the various issues in this transition period.
The foreign Minister of Qatar expressed confidence that “the settlement of the Syrian crisis will undoubtedly be followed by the settlement of the situation in Iraq.”
On the use of chemical weapons in Syria
Sergey Lavrov stressed that Russia calls thoroughly and impartially investigate all reports of use of chemical weapons in Syria.
“Regarding cases of use of chemical weapons, established a special mechanism with the participation of the UN and the Organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW), which investigates all reports of all incidents, including increasing evidence that during the conflict the radicals gained access to chemical weapons,” Lavrov said.
“It happened as a result of capture corresponding objects “Islamists” in Iraq and Libya. We like to see all these incidents thoroughly and impartially investigated. This is very dangerous, when a chemical weapon is in the wrong hands, actually in anyone’s hands, because it is forbidden,” – said the Russian Minister, responding Qatari colleague who said that in Doha believe the Assad regime illegitimate, because the President of Syria allegedly used chemical weapons.
Earlier, the Syrian government has repeatedly assured the OPCW that government troops have never used chemical weapons during the internal conflict in the country.
“ISLAMIC STATE”
“Islamic state” (ISIS) – an Islamist terrorist organization operating inside Iraq and Syria. Established on 15 October 2006 by the merger of 11 radical Sunni groups. The core group forming the militants, who fought with American troops during their stay in Iraq and with the forces of the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
The IG recognized as a terrorist organization in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Turkey, Egypt, UAE, India, Indonesia, and Russia (29 December 2014).
The fate of Syria should be determined by the people of the country
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In addition, Sergei Lavrov, answering the question about the possibility of the involvement of Bashar al-Assad in the presidential elections, stressed that UN security Council resolution clearly says that their fate will be determined by the Syrians, and the USA here at anything.
“It’s not an American thing, and not our business, he said. – The case of the Syrian people”. “The resolution clearly reads that to determine the fate of their country will be the people, – said Lavrov. What are the Americans?”
The resolution expresses support to the political process, whose aim must be the establishment of a transitional government for six months and not later than 18 months “free and fair elections” in accordance with the new Constitution. To participate in them, stressed in the UN security Council, “should be allowed all Syrians, including members of the Diaspora”.
The document does not mention President Bashar al-Assad, the question of the future of which remains a stumbling block. Instead, the document stresses that “the Syrian people will determine the future” of their country.
Policy dialogue
The Minister of foreign Affairs of Russia also said that Russia and Qatar intend to maintain regular political dialogue at all levels. Lavrov described the talks as constructive.
“We reaffirmed the mutual interest in maintaining regular political dialogue at all levels,” he said.
“We share the view that there are good opportunities for increasing trade and economic relations, increase of mutual trade, said the Minister. – It is important that for these purposes was created the intergovernmental Commission, whose first meeting was held in March in Doha”.
“Agreed to more actively promote the work of chambers of Commerce, business community, direct contacts between businessmen of the two countries,” – said Lavrov.
“We have good opportunities in the field of mutual investments,” the Minister said. According to him, “prospective area of application of mutual efforts is energy, the gas sector”. “We will continue cooperation both in bilateral contacts and within the Organization of gas exporting countries, the headquarters is in Doha,” – said Lavrov.
The Minister also recalled that last month held its first meeting set up by Russia and Qatar bilateral working group for cooperation in the global aluminium market.
“We agreed to continue political contacts,” said Lavrov.
