France’s Senate speaker: Paris, Moscow call for ‘united, secular’ Syria

France and Russia want Syria to be a united and secular state, French Senate Speaker Gerard Larcher told a local radio station in an interview commenting on his visit to Russia and Tuesday’s talks with the Russian president at the Kremlin, according to TASS.

"The talks with Vladimir Putin stressed the importance of sticking to the ceasefire regime in Syria and the need for a united and secular Syria not divided into parts," the speaker of France’s upper house of parliament told Radio Classique.

At the meeting, the sides also called for setting up an interim government in Syria consisting of representatives of the opposition and the current authorities, he added.

The French lawmaker said Moscow has "a pragmatic approach" on Syria. "Like Russia, France and the United States call for peace and civil calm to be restored in Syria," he stressed.

"As far as I know, Russia and the United States are closely cooperating on preparing for the Geneva talks and also on ensuring ceasefire in Syria. I hope that the European Union will also have a due role in these issues," Larcher added.

"After talks I can note Russia’s apparent wish that France should better coordinate its actions with it. This successful cooperation is already seen in the area of fight against terrorism and also in the political area," the politician said.

The first round of intra-Syrian talks ended on March 24. UN special envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura said earlier that the next round of negotiations was expected to be launched no later than April 11, though several delegations may join later.

Source: MENA