Putin: Syria Energetically Involved in Work, Actions Exceedingly Transparent

Local Editor

Russia and the United States agree on how to eliminate chemical weapons in Syria, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday after meeting US Secretary of State John Kerry.

"We have a common understanding of what needs to be done and how. I am very glad that President [Barack] Obama is occupying this position [on chemical arms]," Putin told reporters at the end of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade summit on the Indonesian island of Bali.

He further stated that "Obama has made a difficult decision, which will help prevent a tragedy.

"Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population, should be invited to the Geneva II international conference on Syria," Putin said.

"It would be natural," he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

International experts charged with starting the process of verifying and eliminating chemical weapons arrived in Syria earlier this month. Russia has offered to assist with the demolition process.

Putin said he believed experts would be able to accomplish their goal of ridding Syria of its chemical arms within a year.

"Doubts about the appropriate reaction of the Syrian authorities to the decisions on their chemical weapons proved unfounded. The Syrian administration has energetically involved itself in this work and its actions are exceedingly transparent. Hopefully, the work will continue at the same pace and in the same fashion," he added.

He said he had discussed that issue with Kerry in addition to the chemical weapons in Syria and "further work in this and other fields."
Putin said US President Barack Obama and he "had confidence in the international experts bound to scrap chemical weapons in Syria."
As to how long the mission might last, Putin said, "This can be determined by specialists only."

On the meeting with Obama, the Russian President highlighted that "a meeting with his US counterpart is not a goal in itself," reaffirming, however, his interest in further promoting cooperation between the two countries."Our contacts continue through the Foreign Ministry and the Defense Ministry. In my opinion, the situation is quite satisfactory. Of course, there is still a lot to do to make our work more effective, especially in the economy. Our mutual trade has been declining for the second year in a row. Given our vast untapped potential, we still have a lot of work to do," Putin added.

"As far as this meeting is concerned, I do not think that meetings should be held just for the sake of meeting. We have been engaged in regular, stable and quite effective work. I am certain that such a meeting will take place when the need arises," the Russian president said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team