MOSCOW. Nov 20 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov believes that the situation in a significant part of Syria's regions has stabilized and that settlement in that country is being promoted.
"We see that despite intrinsic problems, above all, the coronavirus pandemic, the Syrian settlement process is consistently moving forward. The situation in a significant part of Syria has markedly stabilized, though the fight against terrorists is definitely still relevant," Lavrov said at a meeting with United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on Thursday.
Lavrov's opening remarks at the meeting were published on the Russian Foreign Ministry website.
At the same time, Lavrov emphasized the need to intensify efforts toward a political settlement.
"We also see additional need to step up efforts toward a political settlement, we see those steps you're taking to resume the activity of the Constitutional Committee as soon as possible. We hope that those plans which we approved with the Syrian sides, including in Damascus, are being fulfilled after all. We bear special responsibility for the success of this work under your supervision," Lavrov said.
Lavrov identified the foreign presence in Syria, which is at odds with the relevant criteria set out in UN Security Council Resolution 2254, as one of the problems which remains unsettled.
"The resolution calls for all members of the international community to unconditionally honor Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence. The continuous international presence in Syria which does not meet these criteria is still a part of the problem, which should be resolved," he said.
The same day, Pedersen met with Russian Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Moscow.
"At the talks, the parties discussed in detail how the situation is unfolding in and around Syria. The interlocutors focused on issues of Syrian crisis settlement based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254, including the activity of the intra-Syrian Constitutional Committee in Geneva," the Foreign Ministry said.
"At the same time, the parties highlighted the importance of mobilizing international efforts to return Syrian refugees to their homes, in particular, taking into account the results of the International Conference on this issue in Damascus on November 11-12," the ministry said.