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Madam Federal Chancellor, ladies and gentlemen,

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We are pleased to welcome Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel 

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to Moscow during her working visit.

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During today’s substantive and useful talks we touched upon the key 

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issues of our bilateral relations in politics, the economy,

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and cultural and humanitarian area.

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And, of course, we had a detailed discussion of a number 

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of international problems.

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Let me underscore that Russia is committed to building up cooperation 

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with the Federal Republic on the principles of respect, equality,

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mutual benefit and consideration for each other’s interests.

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Germany is one of Russia’s biggest international economic partners;

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it follows the People’s Republic of China in terms of trade.

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The Russia-Germany trade amounted to $43.

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8 billion in January to October 2019.

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German investments in Russia total $20 billion whereas the reciprocal 

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Russian investments in the economy of the Federal Republic 

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stand at $9 billion.

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Russia and Germany have a number of large energy projects 

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to their credit. We highly appreciate the responsible position 

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of the German Government in support of the widely known 

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Nord Stream 2 project.

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During the talks, we also spoke about the issues related 

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to the continuation of the Russian gas transit through 

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the territory of Ukraine.

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We noted the importance of the agreements reached on December 31 

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by Gazprom and its Ukrainian partners under which the transit of gas 

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will continue in the coming five years.

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These agreements are mutually advantageous and balanced both for Russia 

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and Ukraine and they definitely meet the interests of the European 

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consumers of Russian energy resources.

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The focus during the discussion of the international and regional 

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agenda was on Libya where, unfortunately,

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large-scale hostilities are ongoing,

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terrorist activities are on the rise while the economy and the social 

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sphere are in decline, to everyone’s regret.

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All that undermines security and stability not just in that region but 

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also has negative implications for Europe.

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I mean illegal migration, smuggling, and arms and drug trafficking.

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It is crucial to put an end to the armed confrontation between Marshal 

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Haftar’s Libyan National Army and the Government of National Accord 

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of Mr Sarraj, to establish ceasefire and take steps to restart 

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the political process with the ultimate goal of overcoming the split 

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inside the country and forming national state institutions.

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It is these goals that we highlighted in the joint statement made 

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recently by President of Turkey and me,

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calling on the conflicting sides in Libya to cease 

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hostilities starting at midnight today.

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I gave a detailed account to the Federal Chancellor 

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of the work we did in Istanbul.

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We consider Germany’s initiative to hold an international conference 

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on Libya in Berlin to be timely.

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For the Berlin conference to yield solid results it is necessary 

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to ensure the participation of the states that are really interested 

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in helping the Libya settlement,

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and the key issue is that its decisions must be previously agreed 

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on with the Libyan parties.

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Ghassan Salamé, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General 

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for Libya, should also play a role in that.

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Naturally, we did not neglect the situation in the Syrian 

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Arab Republic during the talks.

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I shared with Madam Chancellor the results of my recent visit 

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to Damascus and the talks with President al-Assad.

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We can confidently state that the situation in that country 

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is stabilising. Syria is slowly returning to peaceful life,

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and its statehood is being restored.

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Russia and Germany share the view that the final resolution 

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of the conflict in Syria can be achieved exclusively by political means 

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in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

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The main thing is for the Syrian people to have an opportunity 

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to freely and independently determine their future,

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the future of their nation.

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It is exactly this approach that underlies the formation 

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of the Constitutional Committee.

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The Committee has already held two sessions in Geneva and established 

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an editorial commission that will draft constitutional 

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foundations for the Syrian state.

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At the same time, Russia together with Turkey and Iran will continue 

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to support the Committee as far as possible within 

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the Astana format framework.

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We also discussed the issues of post-conflict restoration of Syria,

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improving the humanitarian situation and ensuring the safe 

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return of the refugees.

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All responsible members of the international community have to join 

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their efforts so as to help the Syrian state bodies,

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and Syrians in the broadest sense,

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to restore infrastructure facilities,

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water and power supply, hospitals and schools.

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Meanwhile, any help to Syria must be rendered with proper approval from 

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the legitimate authorities and cover all the affected territories 

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without preconditions and politicisation.

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We certainly could not ignore another issue which is vitally important 

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not only for the region but also for the whole world –

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the issue of preserving the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action 

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on Iran’s nuclear programme.

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After the United States withdrew from this fundamental agreement,

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the Iranian side declared that they suspended some of their voluntary 

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commitments under the JCPOA.

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Let me underscore this – they only suspended their voluntary 

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commitments while they stress their readiness to go back 

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to full compliance with the nuclear deal.

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Russia and Germany resolutely stand for the continued 

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implementation of the Joint Plan.

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The Iranians are entitled to a support from European nations,

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which promised to set up a special financial vehicle separate from 

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the US dollar to be used in trade settlements with Iran.

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The Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges 

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(INSTEX) must finally begin working.

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Ms Merkel and I spoke in detail about the resolution 

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of the intra-Ukrainian crisis.

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We share the opinion that there is no alternative to the Minsk 

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agreements in normalising the situation in Ukraine’s southeast.

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It is crucial that the concrete tasks set during our recent Normandy 

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format meetings should be implemented.

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We hope that the Ukrainian side will start implementing the agreements 

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on the political settlement.

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Extending the law on the special status of Donbass is 

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a good move in the right direction.

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However, the law must not have a time limit,

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as it is stipulated in the Minsk agreements.

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The special status of Donbass must be fixed in the Ukrainian 

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Constitution, as it is also stated in the Minsk agreements.

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We are aware of all the challenges in the internal political process 

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in Ukraine; however, if all the parties concerned want a final 

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settlement, they should follow the Minsk agreements.

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To conclude, let me stress again that during our talks with Madam 

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Federal Chancellor we managed to substantively and constructively 

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discuss many important issues relating to both Russia-Germany relations 

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and the stability and security in the Middle East and the whole world.

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I would like to sincerely thank the Federal Chancellor 

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for today’s productive joint work.

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Thank you for your attention.

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I would also like to express how grateful I am for this invitation 

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to come to Moscow and for this opportunity to have very detailed 

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and in-depth talks on both bilateral and international matters.

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Actually, we can say that despite certain obstacles such as sanctions 

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over Ukraine, we have very intensive economic relations in the fields 

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of science and university education.

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Russia and Germany maintain intensive contacts and cooperation,

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and the citizens of our countries are closely interacting 

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as well. This is very constructive.

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Of course, we also talked about the Nord Stream project.

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It has been legitimised by means of the new European law.

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We need to carry it through.

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It is gratifying that a positive five-year agreement has been reached 

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regarding gas transit via Ukraine.

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We also monitored the developments around the opening of TurkStream.

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Germany and other European countries will benefit from Nord Stream.

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Nord Stream 1 is operational, while Nord Stream 2 is yet to be 

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completed. All the sides are interested in diversifying gas supplies 

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and will continue working towards this.

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But it is a very important project nevertheless.

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We discussed international conflicts as well.

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First of all, I would like to say a few words about Libya.

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I believe that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President 

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Vladimir Putin held a very constructive meeting in Istanbul.

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Ceasefire efforts are being undertaken within the framework 

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of that meeting. This may become a step forward within the framework 

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of the Berlin process between the five UN Security Council 

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countries with veto powers.

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A high-level document has been prepared with the other countries.

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We can now invite all participants to the Berlin conference 

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to be held under UN auspices.

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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UN Special Representative 

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[for Libya] Ghassan Salame bear special responsibility for this 

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process. The ultimate goal is for the Libyan parties 

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to live in a sovereign country.

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We are not going to interfere with Libya’s sovereignty,

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and therefore the conflicting parties –

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Mr Fayez al-Sarraj and Mr Khalifa Haftar –

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will also be involved in this process.

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We hope that the efforts that are being taken by Russia 

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and Turkey will be successful.

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We will soon send out invitations to the Berlin conference.

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We also discussed Syria.

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Regarding the meeting between President Erdogan and President Putin,

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they have reached very important results.

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I am delighted that last night they reached an agreement on two 

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humanitarian corridors from Idlib,

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which have been opened because people there badly need them.

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It is gratifying that a ceasefire was also discussed,

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because there is no military solution for Syria;

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a solution can only be found through talks,

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which is what we are hoping for.

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Therefore, for our part, we call for creating one more corridor towards 

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northeast Syria for the delivery of humanitarian aid.

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There is readiness to continue the talks.

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Second, we are for carrying on the process launched by UN Special Envoy 

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for Syria Geir Pedersen.

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We need to find a political solution for creating conditions 

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for a peaceful life in Syria, so that people will be able to return 

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to their homes in Syria. Regrettably,

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there are very many such people.

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There are many Syrians in Turkey,

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which is shouldering great responsibility.

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To facilitate the constitutional process,

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we will continue to cooperate with Turkey, Russia and France.

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Of course, we also discussed Iran.

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We agree that everything necessary must be done to preserve the JCPOA.

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Germany believes that there should be no nuclear weapons in Iran,

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and therefore we will use all the available diplomatic means 

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to preserve this agreement, even though it is not perfect,

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but it includes obligations of all the sides.

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I would like to say that 176 lives have been lost.

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Innocent people have died in an air crash in Iran.

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Tehran has announced that it was a big mistake and that those 

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responsible for it have been identified and will be called to account.

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As of now, settlements should be made with the countries whose citizens 

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perished in the air crash.

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Of course, we also need to discuss the consequences of this tragedy,

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which must be investigated in full. It is a real tragedy.

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Therefore, we will do our best in relations with Iraq to combat 

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terrorism and reduce tension in the region as much as possible.

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We also spoke about the Normandy format.

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In my opinion, the Paris meeting was only partially successful because 

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we could not settle all the problems.

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However, a prisoner exchange took place last year.

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Efforts are being made now to bring about a ceasefire. This is good.

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We will continue working to ensure progress at the next meeting 

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in accordance with the Minsk Agreements.

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We have this basis, and we must continue working with it.

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There are certain hurdles, which will not go away 

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overnight, but we are resolved to deal with them.

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Overall, we had a very detailed conversation 

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and a substantial exchange of opinions.

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I hope that meetings between Russia and Germany will continue with 

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the involvement of other countries,

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so that we can help give diplomatic solutions a chance 

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and support UN efforts in all these spheres.

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I would like to talk about Libya.

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Just a few days ago, the Turkish President said that there were two 

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thousand so-called mercenaries from the Wagner military company 

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in Libya. This is a private Russian military company.

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My question is to you, President Putin.

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Can you confirm this number? If not,

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how many Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group are there in Libya?

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If there are any Russian citizens there,

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they neither represent the interests of the Russian state,

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00:16:26.243 --> 00:16:28.921
nor receive funding from the Russian state.

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00:16:28.941 --> 00:16:31.852
Generally, there are many different mercenaries in the conflict zone,

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including, according to our information,

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00:16:34.142 --> 00:16:38.604
a considerable number of mercenaries redeployed from the Idlib zone 

243
00:16:38.604 --> 00:16:41.406
in Syria to the conflict zone in Libya.

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This is a very dangerous process.

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Mr Erdogan and I were also discussing this yesterday.

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We hope that after our agreement,

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we proceed from the assumption that these will also be fulfilled 

248
00:16:53.837 --> 00:16:58.080
by the conflicting sides in Syria and that combat 

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operations will be discontinued.

250
00:16:59.848 --> 00:17:02.519
Simultaneously, the redeployment of additional contingents 

251
00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:05.470
of mercenaries to Libya, including from the Syrian Arab 

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Republic, will be discontinued as well.

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00:17:15.371 --> 00:17:17.720
Good afternoon. My question is for both leaders.

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Mr President, one cannot but ask about Nord Stream.

255
00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:22.724
Will we be able to build it on our own in a situation where sanctions 

256
00:17:22.724 --> 00:17:24.073
have been imposed? If we do this,

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what is the timeframe for completing it?

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I would like to ask Frau Merkel the same question.

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Is Berlin going to help Russia build Nord Stream in some way or other,

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00:17:31.967 --> 00:17:36.243
and, for example, urge Washington to lift the sanctions with regard 

261
00:17:36.243 --> 00:17:39.671
to this project at least for the reason that the Ukrainian 

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gas transit issue has been solved?

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Yes, we will certainly be able to complete it on our own without 

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inviting foreign partners.

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The timeframe is the only question that emerges in this connection.

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There is no doubt that its completion will be delayed by several 

267
00:17:58.977 --> 00:18:03.285
months. I do hope though that this work will be completed before 

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the end of this year or in the first quarter of next year and that 

269
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the gas pipeline will become operatiional.

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These political discussions are held everywhere,

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00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:19.592
of course. This is primarily an economic project that we are talking 

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about, and therefore we believe that this is the right project.

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The businesses involved have repeatedly called for this 

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00:18:26.378 --> 00:18:28.227
project to be implemented.

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I think that the project can be implemented despite the US sanctions.

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The Russian President has said that there will be a certain delay but 

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that the project will be implemented all the same.

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I would like to emphasise once again that despite all the political 

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00:18:44.931 --> 00:18:50.403
hurdles we believe that the exterritorial sanctions are the wrong path.

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For this reason, we will continue to support this project 

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00:18:53.223 --> 00:18:55.025
as we did in the past.

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But, let me reiterate, this is essentially an economic project.

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I have a question for Madam Chancellor.

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We know that you had some pressing issues on the agenda,

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00:19:20.674 --> 00:19:25.392
but we have learned now that there are common views on many matters,

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00:19:25.392 --> 00:19:28.797
sometimes contrary to what the Americans think.

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00:19:28.797 --> 00:19:33.421
Does this mean that there will be closer cooperation between Russia 

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00:19:33.421 --> 00:19:39.427
and the EU, possibly contrary to the United States?

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00:19:39.427 --> 00:19:44.964
I have mentioned an issue on which we do not see eye to eye with 

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00:19:44.964 --> 00:19:48.831
the Americans, even though they are our allies with whom we are working 

291
00:19:48.831 --> 00:19:51.020
together on many matters.

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00:19:51.020 --> 00:19:54.815
But when it comes to German and European opinions,

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00:19:54.815 --> 00:19:58.701
we are acting above all in our own interests,

294
00:19:58.701 --> 00:20:01.747
while Russia is upholding its own interests,

295
00:20:01.747 --> 00:20:05.627
so we should look for common interests in this process.

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00:20:05.627 --> 00:20:10.788
Despite certain obstacles, we have found common interests in our 

297
00:20:10.788 --> 00:20:18.517
bilateral relations regarding the JCPOA with Iran.

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00:20:18.517 --> 00:20:22.529
We have common opinions and different views,

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00:20:22.529 --> 00:20:25.012
but a visit such as this one is the best thing.

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00:20:25.012 --> 00:20:28.564
It is better to talk with each other rather than about one another,

301
00:20:28.564 --> 00:20:33.588
because it helps one to understand the other side’s arguments.

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00:20:33.588 --> 00:20:38.407
Regarding Libya, Syria and Iran, one thing is clear –

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00:20:38.407 --> 00:20:42.126
that military means are only good for a certain period of time,

304
00:20:42.126 --> 00:20:48.348
whereas an ultimate solution can only be achieved by diplomatic means.

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00:20:48.348 --> 00:20:53.869
Today we spoke about ways towards finding such diplomatic solutions.

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00:20:53.869 --> 00:20:55.743
There is some difference of opinions,

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00:20:55.743 --> 00:20:59.163
but there are also areas where we agree.

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00:21:06.403 --> 00:21:07.445
I have a question for both leaders.

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00:21:07.445 --> 00:21:09.262
If possible, I would like to follow up on Libya,

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00:21:09.262 --> 00:21:10.925
which is a very important matter now.

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00:21:10.925 --> 00:21:15.319
Madam Chancellor mentioned the upcoming conference on Libya in Berlin.

312
00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:18.961
What are the goals you set for it, and what results,

313
00:21:18.961 --> 00:21:23.563
possibly the best possible results do you hope to achieve there?

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00:21:23.563 --> 00:21:25.350
I also have a question for the Russian President.

315
00:21:25.350 --> 00:21:29.676
Mr Putin, is there a chance for a ceasefire and can it take place 

316
00:21:29.676 --> 00:21:32.419
within the timeframe you have coordinated,

317
00:21:32.419 --> 00:21:35.798
considering the Libyan sides’ reaction to the memorandum you have 

318
00:21:35.798 --> 00:21:40.147
signed and the agreements reached during your visit to Turkey?

319
00:21:40.147 --> 00:21:43.220
If possible, I would like to ask a more embracing question about 

320
00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:45.095
the Middle East as a whole.

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00:21:45.095 --> 00:21:50.356
It has dominated international headlines in the past few days,

322
00:21:50.356 --> 00:21:55.511
and the latest aggravation between Iran and the United States has even 

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00:21:55.511 --> 00:22:01.161
led some people to fear that the world is facing a new war.

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00:22:01.161 --> 00:22:05.204
What measures can be taken to normalise the situation 

325
00:22:05.204 --> 00:22:06.965
in the Middle East in general?

326
00:22:11.365 --> 00:22:13.986
As for the situation as a whole,

327
00:22:13.986 --> 00:22:19.291
I do hope that there will be no large-scale military conflicts.

328
00:22:19.291 --> 00:22:23.304
We can see that a war is in progress there,

329
00:22:23.304 --> 00:22:25.314
so-called low-intensity combat operations,

330
00:22:25.314 --> 00:22:26.381
but they are combat operations all the same,

331
00:22:26.381 --> 00:22:29.997
with people being killed. This is a fact.

332
00:22:29.997 --> 00:22:32.781
One really needs to hope that large-scale combat operations 

333
00:22:32.781 --> 00:22:34.007
will be avoided.

334
00:22:34.007 --> 00:22:38.355
If this happens, it would be a disaster not only for the Middle East 

335
00:22:38.355 --> 00:22:41.852
but also for the world at large. We know what this will lead to.

336
00:22:41.852 --> 00:22:47.828
This will lead to new massive exoduses from traditional areas where 

337
00:22:47.828 --> 00:22:50.961
people reside, to new refugee flows,

338
00:22:50.961 --> 00:22:53.920
and not only into Europe, but into other regions as well.

339
00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:57.376
This would also be a humanitarian disaster.

340
00:22:57.376 --> 00:23:01.118
They will have a religious disaster plus an economic disaster on their 

341
00:23:01.118 --> 00:23:05.397
hands, because this will lead to the destruction of or great damage 

342
00:23:05.397 --> 00:23:08.101
to the global economy, the global energy industry.

343
00:23:08.101 --> 00:23:13.673
We hope that by joint, combined efforts –

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00:23:13.673 --> 00:23:17.509
we are meeting precisely for this purpose, including today,

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00:23:17.509 --> 00:23:21.580
with Madam Federal Chancellor, we have met in Moscow to discuss our 

346
00:23:21.580 --> 00:23:26.108
joint steps so that such unfavourable developments can be averted.

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00:23:26.108 --> 00:23:32.817
As for the intra-Syrian conflict and possible paths towards its 

348
00:23:32.817 --> 00:23:36.740
settlement, I do hope that in a few hours today 

349
00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:42.265
(actually in five hours), as we called for jointly with Mr Erdogan,

350
00:23:42.265 --> 00:23:47.836
the President of Turkey, the conflicting sides in Libya will cease fire 

351
00:23:47.836 --> 00:23:50.031
and discontinue combat operations.

352
00:23:50.031 --> 00:23:52.963
After that, we would like to hold additional consultations with them.

353
00:23:52.983 --> 00:23:58.201
As I mentioned in my remarks, we support the Federal Chancellor’s 

354
00:23:58.201 --> 00:24:02.600
initiative to hold a UN conference in Berlin.

355
00:24:02.600 --> 00:24:04.188
Certain things have yet to be finalised.

356
00:24:04.188 --> 00:24:08.065
But I think that this would be the next step and a very good step 

357
00:24:08.065 --> 00:24:12.774
in the right direction with the aim of preventing the negative 

358
00:24:12.774 --> 00:24:15.332
developments that I mentioned in the beginning.

359
00:24:15.332 --> 00:24:19.999
We could also set the stage for a gradual peaceful settlement 

360
00:24:19.999 --> 00:24:23.057
of the conflict in Syria by political means.

361
00:24:27.837 --> 00:24:31.957
I am very happy that we have managed to obtain information from 

362
00:24:31.957 --> 00:24:36.193
the Russian side, which attended all the preparatory meetings 

363
00:24:36.193 --> 00:24:41.993
in Germany, that we will soon be able to convene the Berlin conference.

364
00:24:41.993 --> 00:24:46.187
We will also discuss this with other potential participants,

365
00:24:46.187 --> 00:24:48.550
and we hope that the Russian side’s efforts,

366
00:24:48.550 --> 00:24:54.505
particularly as regards the ceasefire in Libya, will be a success.

367
00:24:54.505 --> 00:24:59.553
We have agreed to maintain close contacts on this matter both with 

368
00:24:59.553 --> 00:25:03.351
the Turkish side and within the European Union.

369
00:25:03.351 --> 00:25:08.371
European foreign ministers have also maintained close ties;

370
00:25:08.371 --> 00:25:13.688
the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt and foreign ministers of other 

371
00:25:13.688 --> 00:25:15.502
countries are also participating in this.

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00:25:15.502 --> 00:25:19.611
We know that all of this is taking place under the aegis of the United 

373
00:25:19.631 --> 00:25:23.266
Nations, the UN Secretary-General and his Special 

374
00:25:23.266 --> 00:25:29.961
Representative Mr Salamé. We intend to support their efforts.

375
00:25:29.961 --> 00:25:34.667
This conference can only be a starting point in this process,

376
00:25:34.667 --> 00:25:37.790
and the most important thing is that the Libyan interests 

377
00:25:37.790 --> 00:25:40.547
should take priority. The case in point is Libya’s future.

378
00:25:40.547 --> 00:25:44.335
A situation where too many countries from the outside would like 

379
00:25:44.335 --> 00:25:49.001
to influence the state of affairs in Libya and push the Libyan 

380
00:25:49.001 --> 00:25:52.213
interests onto the backburner should be avoided.

381
00:25:52.213 --> 00:25:55.979
The African Union and African countries are also playing 

382
00:25:55.979 --> 00:25:59.316
an important role. If we look at Libya’s neighbours,

383
00:25:59.316 --> 00:26:06.330
it is the neignbouring countries that are the primary victims 

384
00:26:06.330 --> 00:26:10.056
of terrorism and escalation in this area.

385
00:26:10.056 --> 00:26:12.308
We can fight this and it will be easier to fight this,

386
00:26:12.308 --> 00:26:16.022
if Libya has government agencies and statehood of its own.

387
00:26:16.022 --> 00:26:18.441
This is our goal and we are working to achieve it.

388
00:26:18.441 --> 00:26:21.188
I do hope that we will be able to make headway on this 

389
00:26:21.188 --> 00:26:23.189
within the next few days or weeks.