Lavrov explains Russia’s stance on Syria to Latin American, Caribbean diplomats

MOSCOW, December 8. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with the accredited heads of Latin American and Caribbean countries’ diplomatic missions in Moscow on Tuesday to explain in detail Russia’s approach to the situation in Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "There was a detailed exchange of opinion on major issues on the international agenda and Russia’s relations with the key countries in the region and their associations," the ministry stated. "A stable trend was emphasized towards Latin America’s stronger role in world affairs and stable, onward cooperation in the multilateral and bilateral formats," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. It was stated that the outgoing year saw greater intensity of the political dialogue, including that at high and summit levels." At the ambassadors’ request Lavrov explained in detail the approaches to the situation in Syria and around it. "Russia and the Latin American and Caribbean countries have close or identical views on such important issues as the strengthening of international information security and transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "A number of systemic trading, economic and high-tech projects have been agreed and are being implemented. The effectiveness of cooperation in the struggle with global challenges and threats is growing and educational and humanitarian ties are getting deeper. "The space for visaless mutual trips by individuals has expanded. Inter-governmental agreements are effective with most Latin American states on the conditions of cancelling visa formalities," the Foreign Ministry said. "Russia’s contacts with the Latin American integration groups have gained greater momentum. A permanent mechanism has been established of political dialogue and cooperation between Russia and the Cooperation of Latin American and Caribbean states," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Read more