Moscow – AFP: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddam emphasized in Moscow the importance of Russian-Syrian dialogue in efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Iraqi crisis. Khaddam stated, “There is no doubt that cooperation between us will serve the interests of our two countries, but it will also allow for a breakthrough in the international situation.”
For his part, Putin remarked that “Russian-Syrian relations are important, particularly to maintain dialogue (among all parties involved in the conflict) and to establish a political approach” that serves the interests of both countries, whether in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or the Iraqi crisis.
Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov clarified that Moscow’s stance on resolving issues in the Middle East is based on the need for negotiations on all tracks: Syrian-Israeli, Lebanese-Israeli, and Palestinian-Israeli.
In a separate matter, Ivanov mentioned that during the talks, the Syrian and Russian sides did not address the issue of supplying Syria with “Igla” missile systems. He noted that Moscow bases its arms sales policy on its own assessment of the overall situation and does not succumb to external pressure.