MOSCOW. Feb 22 (Interfax) - Russia opposes the initiatives encroaching on the sovereignty of the Syrian authorities, including the creation of humanitarian zones and corridors.
"We oppose steps aimed at artificial politicization of international humanitarian cooperation in Syria, including the creation of so-called humanitarian zones and corridors, and other initiatives encroaching on the sovereignty of the Syrian government," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a report posted on its website on Friday.
"The seventh humanitarian forum for Syria was held in Geneva on February 19. Representatives of the Syrian government, interested states, UN humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organizations attended the event," the ministry said. Russia took an active part in preparations for the forum.
The Geneva humanitarian forum is an important non-politicized floor discussing the humanitarian dimension of the Syrian crisis, the ministry said. The forum mobilizes international efforts towards an improvement of the Syrian humanitarian situation and builds up contacts between international specialized humanitarian agencies and the Syrian government in the delivery of relief to conflict-ridden areas.
"We declare a constructive course of the Syrian government in the relations with UN humanitarian agencies and other organizations, among them the International Committee of Red Cross," the report said.
Russia will continue to render humanitarian aid to Syria, both in the bilateral format and within international humanitarian agencies.