Kofi Annan, special envoy of the UN and LAS, believes that Russia and China changed their approach towards Syria after the talks in Geneva, Annan’s spokesman Ahmad Favzi said, RIA Novosti reports.
Geneva hosted talks on Syria on June 30. Foreign Ministers of Russia, USA, UK, China, France, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and EU diplomatic chief Catherine Ashton attended discussions. The sides passed a final declaration announced by Annan and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Clinton said that Russia changed its position on Syria earlier as well, without giving details on what changes happened exactly.
The communiqué passed in Geneva recommends formation of a transitional government to encourage democratic processes in Syria and respect for human rights. Multi-party parliamentary polls were recommended in Syria.
Many observers say that the document is a result of Russian diplomatic victory. The Geneva meeting itself was initiated by Russia and coincided with Annan’s idea to organize a contact group.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the goal of the declaration is to coordinate fulfillment of Annan’s plan. The initial document had some points Russia disagreed with.
