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Vladimir Putin devoted special attention to the efforts Russia and its partners have made to prepare for the Geneva II international conference. He also endorsed Bashar al-Assad’s readiness to send a Syrian government delegation to the event. The hope was expressed that Syria’s main opposition groups will adopt a constructive approach to the conference and participate in it.

The two leaders also talked about work by international inspectors to oversee the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. The President of Russia expressed his satisfaction with the way Syrian authorities have been cooperating with the UN-OPCW [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons] mission.

A great deal of attention was paid to the humanitarian situation in Syria. Vladimir Putin expressed his concern about reports of extremists targeting Christian and other religious minorities for persecution. He also expressed his hope that the government of the Syrian Arab Republic will do everything it can to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population and restore interfaith peace.

Bashar al-Assad thanked the Russian government for its assistance and support to the Syrian people.

Parties confirmed their mutual interest in further developing bilateral relations.