ASTANA, October 6. /TASS/. Russia and Kazakhstan deem it necessary to rein in the unprecedented upsurge of terrorism in the middle East and to unite the efforts to establish peace in the region.
This was stated Friday by the Minister of foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov following talks with Minister of foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Kayrat Abdrakhmanov by.
“Of course, we talked about the ongoing tensions in the middle East, in Afghanistan, it’s all the neighbouring regions, – said the Minister. – A single that you need and rein in the unprecedented upsurge of terrorism, and at the same time to combine efforts in order for these regions was set stable and lasting peace.”
“Of course, in this sense, the role played by Astana and the Kazakh government in international meetings on the Syrian settlement, very popular, – said the head of the foreign Ministry. And we talked about the preparation of the next such meeting in Astana.”
To expect any breakthrough at the next negotiations in Astana
The head of the Russian foreign Ministry expects that the next round of consultations in Astana on Syria, as the previous one, will bring good results.
“As for the question, do we wait for another breakthrough from the Astana round, despite what is considered a breakthrough. The last meeting was very specific – said Lavrov. – She elaborated on the parameters of the zones of de-escalation, primarily in Idlib, which is probably the most complex, and were adopted five documents, highly practical, aimed at specific steps on the ground, between the countries-guarantors, with the participation of representatives of the government and the opposition. They reglamentary mode of operation of the zones of de-escalation, issues relating to humanitarian assistance, issues of dialogue in the context of the birth of national reconciliation.”
“Consider it a breakthrough? – continued Lavrov. – I personally believe that it is possible to name some high words, but this is a very good, specific result. I am convinced that the next meeting in Astana, like all previous ones, with the help of our Kazakh hosts will also be productive.”
The expansion of the number of observer countries
The Russian Minister noted that the expansion of the number of observer countries will contribute to the Astana process.
“We believe that it would be useful to expand the number of observer countries, in this sense, we are open to discussion,” he said. The Minister stressed that even “without formalizing the participation in [Astana] the process many [countries] are already making a very useful contribution to the success of this endeavor.”
According to Lavrov that the Astana process, the representatives of the armed opposition have to work directly with the government, “largely prompted the Geneva process, where, until recently, the opposition that is represented there – who are mostly political leaders, who live abroad, didn’t want to talk directly with the government.” “Astana his form and pushed the Geneva process”, – said the head of the Russian depodesta.
He also praised the efforts of Riyadh in this regard. “Now we are all having a very great assistance to Saudi Arabia, which undertook to unite the disparate opposition groups, including the so-called “Riyadh” group “Moscow” group, “Cairo” group. Let me remind you that there is the “Astana” group – several meetings of the opposition was held in the capital of Kazakhstan”, – said Lavrov.
“In parallel in the same direction our Egyptian colleagues, he added. They played a very important role in ensuring agreement on two of the four areas of de-escalation”. “So even without formal participation in the process, a number of States help its success”, – concluded the Russian foreign Minister.
Earlier, Russian Deputy foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told TASS that the next, seventh round of talks on Syria in Astana scheduled for 30-31 October, in the middle of this month, it may take a meeting of the opposition in Riyadh. The sixth round of negotiations for a peaceful settlement in Syria in a format which initiator was Moscow, was held in mid-September. Then Russia, Turkey and Iran signed a Memorandum on creation of four zones of de-escalation in Idlib province, North of HOMS, Eastern ghouta and in the South of Syria. As expected, during the seventh round of consultations in Astana will consider the effectiveness of the zones de-escalation.
