June 6, 2012 (TSR) – Russia and China on Wednesday announced their categorical rejection of foreign intervention in Syria and the imposition of regime change on the Syrians.
A joint declaration, signed by President Vladimir Putin of Russia and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao and concluding talks in Beijing, warned of the repercussions which the Syrian crisis may have on the countries of the region, stressing that the developments in Syria are of a great importance in terms of ensuring peace and stability in the countries of the Middle East and the world as a whole.
Both sides reiterated urgent call for finding a peaceful and just solution to the Syrian crisis away from foreign intervention through halting violence by all parties to the conflict and starting an all-inclusive political dialogue.
The joint Russian-Chinese document stressed that Moscow and Beijing strongly reject the attempts at solving the Syrian crisis by means of force and foreign intervention.
Russia and China also oppose imposing the option of regime change on the Syrians by foreign powers including by the international Security Council, the declaration added.
It said that Russia and China believe in the necessity of bolstering international support backing the efforts of the UN envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, and urging all the parties to immediately halting the armed confrontation and strictly implementing Annan’s six-point plan and the Security Council resolutions on Syria.
Both sides welcomed the deployment of the international observers in Syria in implementation of Security Council Resolution 2043.
The declaration stressed Moscow and Beijing’s full support to securing the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic as well as their commitment to the goals and principles of the UN Charter.
The Russian and Chinese presidents called on the Syrian government and all the opposition forces to immediately start political dialogue and make efforts to contribute to normalizing the situation and restoring security and the rule of law in the Syrian territories.
SINO-RUSSIAN RELATIONS DEEPENS
The two leaders have signed a joint communique to deepen the “comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation”. They’ve also hailed a new approach to international security, based on mutual trust and benefit.
They vowed to be good neighbors, good friends and good partners. Today, they’ve declared their intention to forge deeper, wider and more practical co-operation.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is greeted by Chinese President Hu Jintao. It’s Putin’s 7th time in China, but this visit has a special significance. He is working with his Chinese counterpart, to draw-up a blueprint for future relations and economic ties.
The two leaders held talks on various issues of common concern.
Both parties have signed a joint communique to deepen the overall strategic cooperative partnership. They’ve called for a new approach to security, based on mutual trust, benefit, equality and coordination.
Putin says, “Both Russia and China have long been advocating establishing fair international order. Nations around the world should cooperate to deal with current threats, including terrorism, extremism, expansion of weapons of massive destruction and economic crisis.”
President Hu says, “Sino- Russian Strategic Cooperative Partnership is at a historic new start. China is willing to work with Russia, to look upon and deal with bilateral relations from a long term perspective.”
Relations between the two territorial giants have improved since Putin first entered the Kremlin in 2000, especially after border issues were finally resolved in 2005.
China and Russia share positions on many global issues. They used their vetoes to prevent UN sanctions from being imposed on Syria. They have similar diplomatic positions on Iran’s nuclear program and have common concerns over the situation in Afghanistan.
Lavrov: Moscow, Beijing Coordinate Efforts to Call on Armed Opposition to Abide by Annan’s Plan
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia and China are coordinating efforts over Syria, particularly over implementing the UN Envoy Kofi Annan’s plan.
In a press release after the Russian-Chinese Summit, Lavrov stressed that Moscow rejects all attempts of the Syrian opposition to create the impression that implementing Annan’s plan is not possible, as announced by the ‘Free Army’ and the ‘Syrian National Council’.
Lavrov called for holding a meeting for the countries wielding influence on the opposition groups in Syria to persuade them into committing their selves to Annan’s plan.
He indicated that these countries include the permanent members of the UN Security Council, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the EU, the Arab League and the basic countries in the region like Iran and Turkey.
Lavrov added that the purpose of such meeting will not be supporting the ‘Syrian National Council’ as the way of the ‘Friends of Syria’ meetings, but it will be urging outside players other than the Syrians, in the first stage, to adhere to Annan’s plan in an honest and straight manner without double standards.
The Russian Foriegn Minister urged the Syrian armed opposition to abide by Annan’s plan, highlighting that some internal opposition groups categorically refuse foreign intervention in Syria’s affairs.
