Syria's return into Arab League would be useful step - Russian Foreign Ministry
BERLIN. April 5 (Interfax) - Syria's membership in the League of Arab States (LAS) should be restored, but the decision should be made by the members themselves, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin said.
"Unfortunately, Syria's LAS membership was suspended. We think this is wrong. Syria's return into the family of Arab countries would be a useful, productive step, not least for the purpose of normalizing Syria's socio-economic relations with other countries," Vershinin told reporters in Berlin on Friday.
Syria is one of LAS co-founders, he recalled.
"There were quite serious steps in favor of restoring, normalizing contacts and ties with Syria," Vershinin said.
"We welcome such contacts. This is a movement towards the good side. But the matter is up to the countries themselves."
Syria will not be represented at a Russian-Arab cooperation forum of foreign ministers planned to be held in Moscow in April, he said.
"There will also be a Russian-Arab business forum in Moscow at the same time. Syria has been invited and Syrian representatives will be there," Vershinin said.