Moscow, EU agree Syria needs neutral, non-politicized humanitarian aid
MOSCOW. Sept 18 (Interfax) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov and European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva discussed humanitarian aid to the Syrian population on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"They stressed the importance of neutral and non-politicized humanitarian assistance to the Syrian population with full account of fundamental humanitarian principles and the coordinating role of the United Nations.
Gatilov informed the interlocutor about "Russian humanitarian aid to Syria in the bilateral format and financial backing of the UN and ICRC operations in that country," the ministry said.
"K. Georgieva lauded Russian efforts aimed to relax the humanitarian situation in Syria," the ministry said.
The European commission also lauded the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry regional center in Nis, Serbia, and confirmed the wish to cooperate with the center in the cleanup of aftermaths of natural calamities in the region.
"The sides discussed topical questions and prospects for Russia-EU interaction in civil defense and crisis response, as well as the humanitarian situation in Syria and a number of African countries," the ministry said.
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