Lavrov: Chemicals use in Syria should not be pretext for geopolitical goals

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the use of chemical weapons in Syria should not be used for geopolitical goals. After the talks with his Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei on Wednesday, Lavrov said, “We don’t conceal our conclusions [on the inquiry of using chemical weapons in Syria]. They were submitted to the U.N. Secretariat and members of the U.N. Security Council. I don’t see any obstacles to making them public. This information is rather convincing and I think that many issues should be resolved.” “This is no joking matter that is why I reiterated that chemical weapons should not be used the pretext for speculations to achieve geopolitical goals. This is too serious,” the Russian minister said. “As for the impact of the events on prospects for convening the international conference on Syria, I think that it is necessary to push the opposition to convince it to take part in the conference without precondition. This should be done to persuade the government and the opposition to agree with all what is reflected in the Geneva communique of June 30, 2013,” Lavrov explained.