On October 8, Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov held consultations with Diplomatic Advisor to the French President Jacques Audibert and Director-General for Political and Security Affairs at the French Foreign Ministry Nicolas de Riviere.

The parties held a sincere, detailed exchange of opinions on the military and political situation that is taking shape in the Middle East, with an emphasis on the events in and around Syria, as well as on the developments in Lebanon and in regards to the Palestinian-Israeli settlement.

They paid particular attention to the task of pooling diversified efforts to effectively counter the terrorist threat that is emanating from the Islamic State and other terrorist groups for the international community. It was noted that counter-terrorist actions should be taken in parallel with active consolidated efforts to promote a political settlement of the Syrian crisis based on the June 30, 2012 Geneva Communique, with a view to ensuring Syria’s subsequent socio-economic recovery.

Based on the results of the consultations, the sides reaffirmed the need for a continued regular political dialogue between Moscow and Paris on the primary aspects of the situation in the Middle East.

 

October 8, 2015