Abu Dhabi: The UAE and Russia on Tuesday reiterated their firm stance towards a political solution to the crisis in Syria, throwing full weight behind efforts by Saudi Arabia and Egypt in this regard.
“We hope that efforts of Russia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt will make Syria peace talks in Astana with the Syrian government and representatives of Syrian opposition groups a success in the next few days and weeks,” Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told a joint news conference along with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.
Shaikh Abdullah said undoubtedly the Riyadh meetings on Syria were extremely important, praising the role played by Russia and Egypt to persuade parties to attend and be constructive.
Shaikh Abdullah reiterated that unifying this diverse group of Syrians who put aside differences in the interest of building a new Syria was a success made by Astana as well as Geneva peace talks.
“We need that all parties work together towards a political solution to the Syrian crisis. At the same time we need to win steps against Daesh and Al Nusra,” Shaikh Abdullah said.
Shaikh Abdullah said that parties should make use of the success of Syria’s de-escalation zones, which are of pressing need and hope for the Syrian people.
Shaikh Abdullah criticised Iran and Turkey’s practices that “attempt to harm integrity and sovereignty of Syria”.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s firm stance towards a political solution to the Syrian crisis, saying that the solution should be based on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.
The 2254 resolution, which calls for ceasefire and political settlement in Syria, was unanimously adopted on December 18, 2015. At the first round of Asatana talks, 2254 was invoked as the legal basis for the political process to end the war in Syria.
The resolution demands that all parties immediately cease any attacks against civilian targets, it urges all member states to support efforts to achieve a ceasefire and requests the UN to convene the parties to engage in formal negotiations in early January 2016.
Groups seen as “terrorist groups” by the UN Security Council, including Daesh and Al Nusra Front, are excluded. Offensive and defensive actions against such groups will continue.
Lavrov said the political transition and the constitution should be Syrian-led, warning against what he called the “language of ultimatums”
Under the resolution free and fair elections will be held under UN supervision.
The Russian Foreign Minister said the two countries have identical views on the need to combat terrorism and extremist ideologies and support the Security Council initiatives to fight terrorism, led by Egypt.
Lavrov said he had talks with His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed, UAE National Security Adviser.
Lavrov praised the steady growth in the UAE-Russia strategic partnership, saying that more steps will be taken to boost investments in energy, industry and banks.
Shaikh Abdulla said that UAE-Russia trade reached $2.1 billion (Dh7.7 billion) last year, expecting that this year will see a surge in cooperation between the two countries.
“The 350,000 Russian tourist visited the UAE last year, in addition to 16,000 Russians who work and live in the UAE,” Shaikh Abdullah said.
