Russia, US and the UN holds preparatory meeting for an international peace conference on Syria; Russia will not close its military base in Tartus; President Putin and Turkish Prime Minister discuss the situation emanating in Syria; Syrian opposition prais
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • (JUNE 24-30)

    According to reports, at their preparatory meeting for an international peace conference on Syria held on June 25, 2013, representatives of Russia, the United States and the United Nations have resolved certain issues regarding the format of the future talks, but failed to set a specific date or agree on the list of participants. 1

    Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Russia does not intend to close its embassy in Damascus and the technical support base in Tartus. 2

    President Putin and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan have discussed, on June 27, 2013 over telephone, the situation emanating in Syria. Both leaders expressed rtheir readiness to coordinate efforts aimed at achieving the political settlement of the crisis. The conversation was held at Turkey’s initiative. 3

    The Syrian opposition has praised Russia’s consistent efforts aimed at fulfilling the obligations of the Geneva communique of June 30, 2012 and starting the talks as soon as possible with due account for the rights and interests of all citizens. 4

    Moroccan Foreign Minister Saad-Eddine Al-Othmani has said that Russia is playing a positive role in the Sahara-Sahel settlement issue. 5

    In other developments, according to reports, Russia and Fiji have agreed to step up their military-technical cooperation, to counteract money laundering and terrorism financing and to cooperate in healthcare and education. The documents were signed during the first-ever visit of Prime Minister of Fiji Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama to Russia. 6

    Russian Foreign Ministry has said that Israel should stop its settlement policy on the occupied territories and that the final status of the Palestinian territories, including the future of Jerusalem and the settlements, should be solved by Palestinian-Israeli talks. 7

    Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has said that Russia and Myanmar have agreed to step up their defence relations. At present, Myanmar’s Armed Forces have 30 MiG-29, 30Mi-17 and 11 Mi-24 jets apart from Pechora air defence systems in its service. At least 150 officers and students from Myanmar study at Russian military schools. At the end of the year, ships of Russia’s Navy will visit Myanmar. 8

    A top Russian Air Force General has said that Russia will open an airbase in north-western Belarus near the Polish and Lithuanian borders, within the next few months. The Su-27SM3 fighter jets will be stationed there. 9

    Russia has said that its law enforcers have no grounds to detain CIA's ex-agent Edward Snowden since neither Snowden is on a wanted international list nor has he committed any unlawful activity in Russian territory. 10

    Iran's president-elect Hasan Rouhani has said that Tehran's relations with Russia will take high importance during his term in office. 11

    Top