Lavrov: fight against terrorism must become priority for all, regardless of realization of their geopolitical ambitions
MOSCOW. Dec 14 (Interfax) - Russia is once again calling on the international community to come together in the fight against the terrorist threat, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday.
"The fight against this [terrorist] evil must become our absolute priority, without any reliance on an opportunity to somehow realize own geopolitical ambitions," he said at the meeting with members of the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.
"It's only [through acting] collectively that we can ensure our security and sustainability in the development," Lavrov said. "The need to concentrate on the fight against terror is evident for us now," he added.
Russia is committed to promoting the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the creation of a broad anti-terrorist coalition to fight against ISIL, Lavrov said. "This needs to be built upon the firm basis of international law, and under the auspices of the United Nations," he said.
Some positive dynamics have been observed in the Syrian settlement, Lavrov said, "now that we've succeeded to bring all external actors, who are considerably influencing the situation in this country [Syria], together at one roundtable".
"And this is one truly substantial achievement, and it is very important to reach practical results now that we have formed this [International Syrian Support] group, and [we have] indicated the priorities that, as the external actors believe, must lead us forward in the settlement of this dire crisis," Lavrov said.