Antiterrorism, key issue on Geneva II agenda, says Russian FM

MOSCOW

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday that the Geneva II Conference on Syria would handle antiterrorism as the key topic on January 22 in Montreaux city of Switzerland.

In an interview with Russia's state TV channel Rossiya-24, Lavrov stated that "Upon reviewing issues related to holding the international conference on Syria, Geneva II, and its agenda with our Western partners, we say there should be an alliance between the Syrian government and the national opposition to fight foreign terrorists who came to Syria from all over the world to carry out their satanic schemes."

Lavrov also pointed out Russia's support for US efforts to convince the Syrian opposition to participate in Geneva II without precondition. 

"We are not working with the Syrian government only but also with all opposition spectrums," he said.

During the intervew, top Russian diplomat also touched upon the anti-government protests in Ukraine, criticizing the visits of some European lawmakers to meet with the protesters at squares and request public support for trade deal with the EU.

“We are surprised by the almost hysterical reaction [of the West] to the sovereign decision of Ukraine’s legitimate authorities," he said.

Lavrov claimed that Russia "has no doubt" that "provocateurs with a long-prepared script" lurk behind the mass protests in Ukraine, defending the Ukrainian government’s right to take decisions on its national policy and slammed Western officials who have sided with the protesters demanding the government’s resignation.

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