MOSCOW. July 10 (Interfax) - The Syrian settlement talks that are about to start in Geneva should focus on the elaboration of Syria's new constitution and the fight against terrorism, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"We would like to single out constitutional reform and the fight against terrorism as the key subjects. But one shouldn't forget about the two other baskets," Lavrov said at a news briefing in Moscow following talks with his South Ossetian counterpart on Monday.
"The constitution is a thing that must eventually reflect the concerns of each and every ethnic, religious and political group in Syria and that must secure a balance of the interests of every such group," Lavrov said.
"It's the only way one can expect that the Syrian state will function sustainably and will be guaranteed both against manifestations of new internal political crises and against a situation where a part of the Syrian state becomes a hotbed of terrorism and other threats," he said.
That is why Moscow will "actively support efforts by [UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy Staffan] de Mistura aimed at stimulating the Syrian sides to pursue a productive, constructive discussion on what kind of constitutional reform could be agreed", he said.
Lavrov went on to remark that the current constitution of the Syrian Arab Republic will continue to apply until a new constitution takes effect. "It suggests a very broad spectrum of opportunities to allow enhancing the participation by opposition members in governance of the State. I hope that the discussion will also be constructive on this subject," Lavrov said.