Transcript of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s Interview with Russian Media after Attending CSTO Foreign Ministers Council Meeting in Minsk, May 31, 2011

Question: Now many countries are criticizing Belarus. What does the Russian side call on Minsk to do in the context of the situation of human rights in the country?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: We do not urge Belarus to do anything that we ourselves would not put before us as a task. This fully applies to the fulfillment of international obligations, among them those to ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Remarks in several Belarusian media that Russia is "standing in solidarity with the EU" do not exactly reflect reality. We have called on Minsk to ensure human rights and observe international obligations. At the same time, Russia has neither imposed nor threatened to impose sanctions, as did the European Union. The difference is there, although we still have a negative attitude to the fact that all Belarus presidential candidates have been sentenced to probation or real terms.

Question: How can you comment on Western countries' assessments of the situation in Belarus? What steps does the West expect from Minsk?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: The President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said today that Western attempts to make him do a U-turn to Russia's detriment are doomed to failure, and that he will never do anything contrary to the fraternal union of Russia and Belarus.

Question: During your recent telephone conversation with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem did you hear the Syrian side's disposition toward reform?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: I did, and this was stated in a Russian MFA commentary.

A few days ago Syrian President Bashar al-Assad issued a draft of constitutional amendments. This was a serious step, of which he had spoken earlier. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed support for his disposition and urged that all this be translated into concrete deeds as soon as possible. I said the same thing to Muallem. We see that practical actions have begun and we expect the opposition to accept them as an invitation for discussion and not take an unbending stand.

Question: What aspects of the Middle East settlement should the Quartet discuss now, in your opinion?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: The discussion among Quartet partners should now be about the necessity of an absolute confirmation of all that which is written in all previous decisions. This applies to a settlement based on the creation of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with possible land swaps, given the real changes that have occurred during this period "on the ground" (which the Palestinians do not reject), with East Jerusalem as its capital; and to agreeing on generally acceptable conditions for ensuring the security of Israel and solving the refugee problem. There are minor issues that are important to people's daily lives on both sides of a future border. We're talking about water, environmental protection, and confidence-building measures. All of these are the arrangements approved by the international community as the principles of a future settlement.

When I hear that visiting Israeli Vice-Prime Minister Moshe Ya'alon, with whom I will meet tomorrow, said that "a peace treaty does not make sense, because it will only be a piece of paper," I would like to ask him what he has in mind.

It is the Quartet's duty to confirm the positions resulting from decades of negotiations and the various stages of endeavor by the international community. These principles are enshrined in the decisions of the Quartet and the UN Security Council and in the agreements reached in Madrid and Oslo. And of course, I mean the Arab Peace Initiative that would guarantee Israel's security. Further actions should include the consolidation of the Quartet on the previously agreed positions. But this is not enough. It is necessary to establish daily coordination with the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Question: Are there any people among the representatives of the Libyan opposition with whom one can engage in dialogue?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: One of them is the former foreign minister, until recently Libya's permanent representative to the UN in New York. I've known him for many years.

Several ministers from the Gaddafi government also represent the opposition; only five months ago they held those posts. They are able to talk and reach agreements.

Question: Do they play any serious role in the opposition ranks?

Foreign Minister Lavrov: The head of the National Transitional Council of Libya is the man who until recently was the justice minister in Gaddafi's government. Of course, they play a role. As far as I can judge from my conversations with Abdel Rahman Shalgam, who recently visited Moscow, as well as my discussions with Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi Mahmoudi the possibility for compromise exists. The opposition recognizes the necessity of Gaddafi's representatives' participation in future talks. They insist that it's not himself or his family members, but "distinguished neutrals or technocrats," i.e. people who really represent the interests of the tribes grouped around Tripoli.

The opposition is also ready for the participation in the talks of members of the armed forces and security services acting under Gaddafi who have not stained themselves with blood. This is quite a reasonable proposal that we intend to help promote, based on the proactive mediation role of the African Union. As you know, on Saturday, May 28, President Medvedev held a telephone conversation with South African President Jacob Zuma, who yesterday visited Libya and talked with Gaddafi and his representatives, and intends, on behalf of the African Union, to continue his mediation mission in contacts with the rebels.

Elements are now really looming on the horizon, based on which it will be possible to agree on a ceasefire and the start of negotiations. The most important thing is that external forces, including those now exceeding the mandate of the UN Security Council, should not hinder these efforts.