WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — When asked whether it’s important for Washington and Moscow to revive the suspended negotiations, Stefanec stated, "Absolutely."
"It's good not only for the US and Russia, but also for the EU [and] most importantly, for the Syrian people. Unfortunately, Syrian people suffer," Stefanec said on Thursday.
Stefanec pointed out that the current situation in Syria is critical, and its effects are felt in the European Union due to the number of refugees fleeing to Europe.
"I talk to many refugees from Syria, and they were telling me they would like to come back, but it's not possible because it's war."
He stressed that the United States, Russia and European Union share a common objective to conclude a peace agreement in Syria and solve the refugee crisis.
"I also know it's not really easy because there are different interests, and it's not only one good and one bad guy who is fighting there but also surrounding countries that have special interests. But first of all they have to fight against the so-called Islamic State [Daesh]," Stefanec concluded.
Early in October, the US State Department announced it was suspending bilateral channels with Russia established to sustain the September 9 Syrian cessation of hostilities announced by US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Fighting in the war-torn city of Aleppo resumed as the ceasefire collapsed in late September.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition groups and terrorist organizations.
