Lavrov: Russia Ready to Take Part in Syria Talks in New York
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that Moscow is ready to participate in a fresh round of peace talks on Syria, proposed by US Secretary of State John Kerry to be held on December 18-19 in New York.
The top diplomat, however, noted that a consensus should be reached before the talks open so that the parties involved agree first on a list of terrorist groups in Syria and another list of opposition groups who could engage in a fresh political process.
Russia and other nations involved in peace talks on Syria came to a general conclusion in the Austrian capital, Vienna, last month to compile a list of terrorists and opposition groups so that they could devise a political roadmap for resolving the conflict in the Arab country.
They also agreed that establishing a ceasefire in Syria must precede all political efforts, Press TV reported.
The foreign-backed conflict began in Syria in March 2011. Takfiri terrorists, backed by Western powers and some of their regional allies, have been carrying out atrocities against the people of Syria and neighboring Iraq as well. The conflict has claimed the lives of more than 250,000 people and left over one million injured.