MOSCOW. July 15 (Interfax) - Russia's call for pooling the efforts of the international community in combating terrorism after the terrorist attack in Nice is topical as ever, head of the State Duma Committee for International Affairs Alexei Pushkov said outside of the French embassy in Moscow where an impromptu memorial has appeared to which Muscovites bring flowers in commemoration of those who died in the terrorist attack.
Pushkov placed flowers against the embassy's wall and made an entry in the book of condolences.
"The succession of the latest terrorist attacks indicates that the call formulated by [President] Vladimir Putin at the UN General Assembly last September on the formation of an antiterrorist coalition is as topical as ever. The time has come for Western leaders to realize the correctness of the call and respond to it," Pushkov said to journalists on Friday.
He said that present-day relations between Russia and Western states obstruct joint actions. He said that Russia has persistently suggested for a long time to coordinate the struggle against terrorist organizations in Syria.
"And there was no response until this moment. It remains to analyze the results of the talks that Vladimir Putin and [U.S. Secretary of State] John Kerry held yesterday. Judging by reports of the U.S. State Department, a certain change is pending in the position of the United States. John Kerry suggested setting up a center where the military could exchange data and coordinate our efforts. Now it remains to be seen whether this proposal is a foundation for the beginning of concrete joint actions," Pushkov said.
Besides, he noted that at the parliamentary level the State Duma has raised the issue of the need for interaction in combating terrorism many times.
"During the year the State Duma Iternational Affairs Committee has dealt with the problem. We held talks with our colleagues in a number of European countries. The task is being recognized but, unfortunately, only at the parliamentary level. At the level of executive power standard phrases are voiced, the importance of combating international terrorism is stressed but little is being done," he said.
He said he was confident that the subject of fighting terrorism will be a priority, if not the most important one for the new Duma.