Lavrov, Kerry stress importance of coordination between Russian, US military for truce in Syria

MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry have stressed the importance of coordination between the two countries’ military for the truce in Syria, the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday after a telephone conversation between the two top diplomats. "The conversation centered round the implementation of the Russian-U.S. initiative on the cessation of hostilities in Syria and corresponding resolutions of the United Nations Security Council." The ministry said. "The two top diplomats reiterated major importance of coordination between the two countries, primarily between their military, for safeguarding the ceasefire regime that is to be observed by both the government forces and armed opposition groups non-affiliated with terrorists." "The side voiced support to the United Nations efforts towards the resumption the Geneva talks between the Syrian government and the patriotic opposition in the interests of political settlement of the conflict," the ministry said, adding that the conversation was initiated by the American side. Lavrov and Kerry also "reiterated their commitment to efforts aimed at facilitating humanitarian access for international organizations to blocked areas in Syria," the ministry said. "The sides also discussed the work on a United Nations Security Council resolution on measures of influence on North Korea which is destabilizing the situation through its missile and nuclear activities," the ministry said. "Other topics for discussion included the implementation of the Minsk agreements on the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis and some other pressing issues on the international and bilateral agenda." Read more