Al-Moallem: Geneva conference should focus on combating terrorism

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Walid al-Moallem, discussed on Thursday with Indian Acting Assistant Minister of External Affairs, Sandeep Kumar, means of enhancing the bilateral relations and the efforts exerted for holding the international conference on Syria, in Geneva. Minister al-Moallem explained the war launched by the armed terrorist groups, whose members came from over 80 countries, on Syria, adding, "Therefore, Geneva conference should focus on combating terrorism and compelling the countries which are supporting these groups to stop funding, arming and hosting these groups because ending terrorism in Syria is the basis for the success of any political solution." Minister al-Moallem stressed that the unilateral economic measures adopted by the European Union and the US against the Syrian people have crucially contributed to aggravating the living situation in Syria. For his part, Kumar said that India is following up the situation in Syria and it is working with a number of countries for the restoration of security and stability to it. He stressed that combating terrorism entails the end of funding and arming the gunmen, adding that India supports the idea that combating terrorism should be the basis for political solution. Kumar asserted India's commitment to the success of Geneva conference to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria, thanking the Syrian leadership for backing India's desire to take part in the conference.