Lavrov hopes that Russia, US and UN will coordinate common approach to political process in Syria

VIENTIANE, July 26. /TASS/. The High Negotiations Committee’s (HNC) ultimatum position hampers the resumption of inter-Syrian talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday. "Regarding today’s meeting between Russia, US and UN in Geneva, it is devoted to the importance of starting work on the political package of settlement as soon as possible," the foreign minister said after talks with US State Secretary John Kerry. "The next, or I would even say first round of inter-Syrian talks should be launched as soon as possible because all previous attempts can hardly be described as rounds," he added. "The talks should be based on principles established by UN Security Council - full-format participation of the government and all opposition forces without exception. UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura has not yet managed to bring all those who should decide Syria’s future to the negotiations table and ensure inclusive representation of the opposition and governmental delegation," he went on. "The so-called High Negotiations Committee has a non-constructive position," Lavrov said. "They do not propose anything, put forward ultimatums that will lead to nothing good - about necessity of (Syrian President Bashar) Assad’s resignation, and then they say we’ll see what to do with political process. This is an absolutely dead-end position," he added. "We hope that at the meeting between representatives of Russia, US and UN in Geneva, an approach will be coordinated that will allow to implement UN Security Council resolutions clearly and without hesitations, not allowing any preconditions and especially ultimatums," the foreign minister noted. Read more