Lavrov: We Cannot Solve Migration Problem by Ending the Fight Against Terrorism

* Photo: AA - Archive

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Speaking at a press conference with Foreign Minister of Finland Pekka Haavisto yesterday (March 3), Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov said, "We cannot contribute to solving migration problems at the expense of ending the war on terror, what some politicians in Europe are calling for."

As reported by Russia-based news agencies TASS and Sputnik, Lavrov also stated, "We fully understand the complexity of the migrant problem for the EU, and we are engaged in dialogue on the migration issue with the European Foreign Service, which we will continue."

Emphasizing that Russia will keep on "contributing to solve this problem", Sergey Lavrov added, "But we cannot help solve migration problems by ending the fight against terrorism."

According to Lavrov, "the solution to the problem lies in the full implementation of the agreements between the presidents of Russia and Turkey reached in September 2018 on the Idlib de-escalation zone."

"Unfortunately, these agreements are not being implemented", he added.

Juravlov: No humanitarian crisis in Idlib

Oleg Juravlov, the Head of the Coordination Center in Syria affiliated with Russia's Ministry of Defense, has refuted that a humanitarian crisis has unfolded in Syria's Idlib following the recent developments:

Juravlov has argued that "the reports of Turkey, US and European countries directed against Russia and Syria that the deteriorating situation in the Idlib de-escalation zone has resulted in an influx of millions of refugees and there is a "humanitarian crisis" in the region" do not reflect the truth. (EKN/SD)