An official Russian inter-agency delegation visited Damascus

Damascus
Photo: Reuters

Press release on the Russian inter-agency delegation’s visit to Damascus:

On January 28, an official Russian inter-agency delegation, led by Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov visited Damascus. This visit marked the first of its kind following the change of administration in the Syrian Arab Republic.

The delegation met with the head of Syria’s new administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and engaged in substantive discussions with him. Participants also included members of Syria’s interim government: Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Minister of Health Maher al-Sharaa.

During a candid exchange on the comprehensive spectrum of Russian-Syrian relations at this pivotal moment, both sides underscored their commitment to advancing multifaceted bilateral cooperation founded on the principles of traditional friendship and mutual respect between Russia and Syria. The Russian delegation reiterated its unwavering support for the unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic, along with its readiness to extend essential assistance to the Syrian people in their post-crisis national recovery.

In addressing the evolving situation in and around Syria, emphasis was placed on the imperative for Syrians themselves to resolve internal challenges through fostering a durable political process. This should be achieved via inclusive dialogue encompassing the entirety of the nation’s political forces and ethno-confessional groups.

Both parties agreed to maintain bilateral engagement with a view to formalising pertinent arrangements, reflecting a mutual resolve to deepen comprehensive ties and understanding between Moscow and Damascus, including in foreign policy spheres.

Mikhail Bogdanov
Photo: TASS

The question of preserving Russian military bases in Syria requires further consultations, and the sides have agreed to continue them, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has told reporters.

An inter-departmental Russian delegation visited Damascus on Tuesday to meet with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

"We expressed our gratitude for the fact that our citizens and facilities were not harmed during the latest events. We expressed hope that this policy will continue, and that our interests in Syria will not be affected," he said.

Commenting on Russia’s bases in Syria, Bogdanov said: "Nothing has changed."

"This question requires additional negotiations. We agreed to continue detailed consultations on every subject of our cooperation," he added.

Dmitry Peskov
Photo: TASS

The Kremlin views the latest contacts between a Russian delegation and the new Syrian administration as important, and this dialogue will continue, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"That was an important trip, and the contacts were important, too, because it is necessary to establish and maintain a constant dialogue with Syria," Peskov said, commenting on Tuesday’s visit to Damascus by Russian officials.

On Tuesday, a Russian interdepartmental delegation held talks in Damascus with the head of the new Syrian administration. Mikhail Bogdanov, special presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa, who led the delegation, described the almost three-hour-long meeting as constructive. Moscow continues to support Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, the senior Russian diplomat emphasized. According to him, the Russian delegation said at the negotiations that issues facing the Arab republic need to be resolved through an inclusive dialogue involving all political forces, as well as all ethnic and religious groups.

Among other things, the two sides discussed the question of retaining Russian military bases in Syria, Bogdanov revealed. They agreed to continue consultations on the issue, he added. Meanwhile, the Russian military presence in Syria remains unchanged.

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