Counterterrorism initiatives should be comprehensive without exceptions

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that it has become possible to separate armed groups from Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists in Syria, particularly this topic has been  given special priority by both Russia and the US for years.

Lavrov made his remarks during a press conference with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry in Cairo.

He noted to the failure of the previous US administration to accomplish the mission despite including Jabhat al-Nusra in the list of terrorist organizations.

Lavrov welcomed the participation of Egyptian experts’ with Russians and their colleagues from other countries to set up a detailed work plan which allows practical implementation of the agreement on de-escalation zones in Syria.

The Russian diplomat added that despite the humble outcomes of Geneva talks, Astana meeting pushed them forward and defined main principles upon which the Syrian state should be built that is secularism.

He pointed out that Russia and Egypt share identical viewpoints regarding the counterterrorism efforts, referring to the proposed Egyptian paper on combating the promotion for terrorism ideology.

Responding to journalists, Lavrov said that his country supports all initiatives that would contribute to confronting the risks posed by terrorism, halt all supply channels and interdict money, weapons or fighters flowing to the terrorists with the aim of complete eradication of terrorism.

He stressed the need that any initiative should be comprehensive without exceptions.

Lavrov added that the talks also dealt with the situation in Libya and means of settling the Palestinian cause as well as enhancement of bilateral political, economic, commercial and cultural relations and the resumption of direct flights from Russia to Egypt.

For his part, the Egyptian Foreign Minister said that the issue of terrorism was discussed, pointing out that the two sides agreed on the importance of adopting a comprehensive vision in combating this phenomenon and putting an end to it.

Source: SANA