Russian Diplomat: Moscow’s Position on Syria Never to Change
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov pledged his country’s continued support for Syria, saying that Moscow’s position on Damascus has not changed and will never change.
“Russia’s stance is not changeable according to circumstances, and we are committed to all agreements and statements, including the Geneva Communiqué issued on June 30, 2012,” Bogdanov said in a statement after a Tuesday meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian in Tehran.
“Our position on Syria has not changed, and we see it necessary to hold dialogue between the government and the opposition at the negotiating table to determine the future of Syria in a way that would maintain the interests of everybody,” he was quoted by the Syrian state news agency, SANA, as saying.
Bogdanov also announced that a trilateral meeting between Iran, Syria and Russia will be held at deputy foreign minister level in Tehran to discuss the latest developments in Syria, adding that he is in constant contact with Syrian Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad.
“My visit to Tehran aims at listening to Iran’s viewpoints and what should be done in this framework,” he said.
Syria has been gripped by civil war since March 2011 with Takfiri terrorists from various groups, including the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), currently controlling parts of it.
The terrorist group claims as an independent state the territory of Iraq and Syria, with implied future claims intended over more of the Levant, including Lebanon, occupied Palestine, Jordan, Cyprus, and Southern Turkey.
The US and its regional allies have been supporting the militants operating inside Syria for more than four years.