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Lavrov, Kerry hail Russia-U.S. cooperation on settling Syrian crisis

Xinhua, March 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his U.S. counterpart John Kerry hailed the two sides' cooperation on settling the Syrian crisis in a meeting here Thursday.

"Our cooperation and perseverance led to success, as the work was conducted on the basis of equality and consistency," said Lavrov, according to an official transcript released by the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"We worked on forming a balance of interests not only between Moscow and Washington, but all parties concerned in the Syrian crisis," he added.

For his part, Kerry noted the success of reducing some 85 to 90 percent of violence in Syria through joint efforts of the United States and Russia as co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG).

He voiced the hope that the Moscow talks would help "further define and chart the road ahead so that we can bring the Syrian conflict to a close as soon as possible."

"(Today's talks) could prove that two powerful nations, that have been able to cooperate in the past few years despite differences, have an ability in the face of those differences to do what is necessary to meet the challenge," Kerry said.

A ceasefire brokered by Russia and the United States has been declared in Syria since the midnight of Feb. 26.

The U.S. State Secretary also urged all countries to make joint efforts to end the "evil scourge" that comes from the Islamic State (IS) and other violent extremism.

Kerry's remarks were made in the aftermath of Tuesday's terrorist attacks in Brussels.

Over 30 people were killed and more than 180 others injured on Tuesday morning in a series of explosions, for which the IS has claimed responsibility, at Brussels airport and a metro station close to the European Union institutions.

Kerry's visit to Moscow is the first time this year and the third in twelve months. His talks with Lavrov will focus on the political settlement in Syria.

The two diplomats will also exchange views on other issues in the Middle East and North Africa, the situations in Ukraine and bilateral relations.

Kerry is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the day. Endi