Iran must be invited to Geneva II for sake of cause, not ideology - Lavrov
PARIS. Jan 13 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called on United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon not to be guided by "ideological reasoning" in making decisions about sending invitations to the Geneva II conference on Syria.
"I hope that the (UN) secretary general will make the right decision. After all, one cannot be under the influence of ideological reasoning so much so that it harms the interests of the cause," Lavrov told a press conference in Paris on Monday, when speaking of the need to invite Iranian and Saudi representatives to the Geneva II conference.
"The talks are being held with Iran over its nuclear program. The United States was holding talks with Iran when it was necessary during American troops' presence in Iraq, Afghanistan, and at the time no one experienced any problems over some ideology," the Russian foreign minister said.
"I am convinced that the Syrian crisis is a problem of no lesser importance than the Iranian nuclear program. And all those who influence the situation in one way or another - and countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia have a real influence on it - must be invited," Lavrov said.
The Russian minister voiced his strong reaction to the words of UN and Arab League Special Envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi who told the same press conference that the UN secretary general sent invitations to Geneva II and the decision (about who will participate) must come with the consent of all parties. "We continue consultations and discussions over this issue," he said.
"The UN, as ever, dodged responsibility and passed the puck to the U.S. and Russia," Lavrov said.