Russia, U.S. share views on Syrian danger - ministry
MOSCOW. July 7 (Interfax) - During an exchange of views on the recent events in and around Syria the Russian President's Special Envoy for the Middle East, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, and U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul "have reaffirmed their common understanding of the danger of further degradation of the situation in this country," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The meeting between the Russian and U.S. diplomats was held on Friday.
"The parties agreed with the need to further consolidate international efforts with the aim to facilitate swift resolution of the internal Syrian crisis on the basis of Kofi Annan's plan and the approaches worked out by the ministerial meeting of the Action Group in Geneva," the statement said.
Bogdanov told McFaul about the specific steps being made by Russia as part of efforts to implement the resolutions of the Geneva meeting, including contacts both with Damascus and with Syrian opposition representatives in the interests of launching a political process led by Syrians themselves. He also expressed hope that the U.S. will be acting in the same fashion, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry took place at the U.S. ambassador's request.
