MOSCOW. Jan 30 (Interfax) - Russia is willing to join international mediation formats to help Venezuela overcome its domestic political crisis and is in touch with other countries on this matter, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"We sincerely wish to help create the conditions for a dialogue between the government and the opposition, as we are telling our Venezuelan partners, China, countries of the Latin American region, and the Europeans," Lavrov said at a press conference on Wednesday.
"We stand ready to join international efforts in whatever formats are acceptable to the Venezuelan parties," he said.
Mediation offers to settle the crisis in Venezuela have come from Europe, the Caribbean Community, and other countries and associations, Lavrov said.
"As concerns mediation, many countries and associations have come up with such proposals. In particular, a proposal on setting up a contact group has been heard in Brussels, on behalf of the EU, and there have been proposals from the Caribbean Community. There have been joint ideas voiced by Uruguay and Mexico. Perhaps the Non-Aligned Movement should have its say, especially given that Venezuela holds the presidency of this movement," he said.
"So far, all these initiatives have been coming up against the categorical reluctance and refusal of the opposition leaders to hold dialogue. We can see that Western sponsors are publicly encouraging their destructive stance," Lavrov said.