MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moscow and Paris have the same goals in the settlement of the Syrian conflict, namely to destroy the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) terrorist group and preserve a united, secular and democratic Syria, French Ambassador to Russia Jean-Maurice Ripert said Tuesday.
"We have the same goals regarding Syria: to destroy IS and to ensure that the country is united, sovereign, secular and democratic," Ripert said in an address to the Russian upper house of parliament.
He added that Paris was thankful to Moscow for its support in overcoming the recent terrorist attacks in France.
Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad fighting numerous opposition factions and extremist groups, most notably IS, which is outlawed in Russia and many other countries.
