Russia fully supports Annan's mediation efforts on Syria: Putin

Source:Xinhua Published: 2012-7-18 11:33:15

Russia will try its best to support United Nations-Arab League joint envoy Kofi Annan's mediation efforts to solve the Syrian crisis, President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

During his meeting with Annan, Putin reaffirmed Moscow's support to Annan's six-point peace plan that emphasizes political and diplomatic settlement of the crisis in the conflict-torn Arab country.

"We support your efforts as a UN-AL special envoy aimed at restoring civil peace in Syria, from the very beginning. In Russia, you enjoy popularity and trust." Putin told the former UN chief who is on his second trip to Moscow in four months.

For his part, Annan said he would like to visit Moscow once again in future, when "there will be no such a heavy burden on my shoulders," referring to the mounting conflict and the complicated settlement process in Syria.

Pointing out Syrian crisis was at the crossroads and faced a turning point, Annan said he was glad to "discuss all these issues " with Russian officials. He considered his talks with Putin as a "very good meeting," with their discussions focusing on steps toward ending the violence and starting the peaceful settlement.

After Putin's meeting with Annan, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that Russia believes the UN Security Council could reach a consensus on a planned new resolution on Syria.

"We were able to reach a consensus at the conference Kofi Annan had convened in Geneva, and I can see no reason why we should not reach agreement in the Security Council as well," Lavrov said.

Annan hoped that the UN Security Council members could manage to figure out "acceptable wording suitable for all."

During his late Monday talks with Lavrov, Annan supported Russia's proposal of extending the UN monitoring mission in Syria which would expire on July 21.

Moscow asked Annan to work with both external players and Syrian opposition groups for the settlement of the crisis.

Russia also offered to host a new round of talks among members of the Action Group on Syria in Moscow later this month, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov.



Posted in: Mid-East

blog comments powered by Disqus