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Lavrov calls for inclusive dialogue in Syria including external powers

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
15 Jan 2025 01:33
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Russia's foreign minister discusses the key events that led to the fall of Syria's previous regime and outlines Russia's current perspective and outlook for the country's future.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during his annual news conference in Moscow, Russia, on January 14, 2025. (AP)

Russia remains in continuous contact with the new Syrian regime, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters on Tuesday.

Lavrov said that Russia will not leave the Middle East, referring to Russian bases in Syria, adding that the country aims to continue working on improving the situation in Syria.

The top diplomat reiterated his call for "an inclusive dialogue" between all political, ethnic, and religious groups in Syria, which should also include "concerned external powers."

Lavrov said that the previous Syrian regime delayed progress in the political process for the past 10 years, showing no will to share power with the opposition. According to the minister, these tactics coincided with several issues resulting from sanctions and American occupation of areas in eastern Syria, which assisted separatists in the country.

He also said that he believed that a power-sharing formula could be reached in the country, however, the previous regime prevented it.

As for Kurdish forces in Syria, Lavrov said that the groups were not interested in repairing ties with the previous Syrian regime when it was in power. The Russian minister said that these groups preferred to rely on the American presence in the region and the possibility of establishing a "quasi-state" in the country. On the other hand, Moscow had underlined that Turkiye and Iraq would not allow the establishment of such a state and adopted an approach that aims to protect Kurdish rights in Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Turkiye.

Yet, Lavrov said that both the previous Syrian regime and the Kurdish forces "did not want to negotiate."

Russia, Turkiye discuss Syrian settlement

Earlier, Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan held discussions over the phone on advancing the Syrian settlement, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported. The conversation focused on fostering an inclusive national dialogue to address the ongoing conflict in Syria.

"Sergey Lavrov and Hakan Fidan also discussed further steps to support the Syrian settlement by organizing an inclusive national dialogue involving all political and ethno-confessional forces in Syria and all 'external players' capable of facilitating the search for appropriate agreements," the ministry’s statement read.

The foreign ministers also touched on regional and global issues, including the Ukraine conflict, while stressing the importance of safeguarding energy security. "Particular attention was paid to the need to prevent actions aimed at creating risks to energy security," the ministry added.

The talks come amid increased pressure on Syria's new leadership to distance itself from Russia, as Western nations impose preconditions for lifting sanctions on the country. European officials have reportedly been urging the interim government in Damascus to sever ties with Moscow in exchange for economic and political incentives.

Meanwhile, Turkiye has voiced frustration with Western nations over their continued support for Kurdish factions, which Ankara views as terrorist organizations. The issue has been a longstanding point of contention, with Turkiye accusing the West of undermining its security interests in the region.