Russia, UN evaluate truce progress in Syria positively - Lavrov

GENEVA, March 1. /TASS/. Russia and the UN evaluate the truce progress in Syria positively, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday following talks with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura. "The cessation of hostilities regime is being established and is becoming more stable," he said. "There are separate violations, but neither our UN colleagues nor other partners are inclined to dramatize them," he said. "There are no ceasefires without individual incidents." Lavrov noted that the Russian side was "satisfied with the way the military worked." "Together with UN colleagues, we are content with the humanitarian advances in terms of the unblocking of new settlements, delivery of cargo, foodstuffs and medications to those in need," Lavrov said. "We are satisfied with the fact that everyone seems to support the beginning of real talks, because in January there were no negotiations as such, the beginning of a true negotiation process, which will involve all Syrians, especially at a stage when the country’s fate will be determined, when the Constitutional reform will be discussed," the minister said. "Staffan de Mistura confirmed that he would convene these talks in the first decade of March." Read more