The current developments in Cyprus’ neighboring region of the Middle East, including the establishment of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the situation in Lebanon, inspire cautious optimism.

Russia is closely monitoring the development of the situation in the Middle East. Of course, it is too early to draw far-reaching conclusions, but facts such as the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and the end of the political crisis in Lebanon as a result of the election of General Joseph Aoun as president inspire cautious optimism.

The situation in Syria deserves special attention. It is necessary to mobilize broad external efforts under the auspices of the United Nations in order to promote an inclusive national dialogue involving all political and ethno-confessional forces in the republic.

I would like to emphasize that Russia has consistently sought to promote the search for solutions to conflicts in the region that would meet, first of all, the interests of the parties directly involved in them. The key role in this should belong to the Middle Eastern countries themselves, with whose peoples our country maintains historical relations of friendship and mutual respect. I am confident that these ties will continue to strengthen for the benefit of the common interests of peace, security and prosperity.