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The President of Russia confirmed Russia’s support for Kofi Annan’s peaceful plan for a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict in Syria.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Kofi Annan, friends, colleagues, I am very happy to welcome you to Moscow.

I deeply regret that we are renewing our relations for so tragic a reason as the events in Syria.

You have known from the very beginning, from your very first steps as the Special Envoy for the United Nations and the League of Arab States, that we have supported and continue to support your efforts to restore civil peace in Syria. We all know you to be a very respectable and professional individual who certainly enjoys a high level of popularity, but also, a high level of trust.

I want to assure you that we will do everything we can to support your efforts.

Special Envoy For the Un and League of Arab States For Syria Kofi Annan: Thank you very much, Mr President. I am happy to be back in Moscow, but as you said, I wish it was on a better occasion.

And my good friend Sergei [Lavrov] and I have discussed that I have to come back when I am not carrying such a heavy load, and I hope I will have the opportunity to do that.

However, the Syrian crisis is at a critical time, and I am pleased that we have this opportunity to discuss it.