Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in a joint telephone conference with European leaders to discuss the partial cease-fire in Syria, the Kremlin press office reported Friday.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi participated in the detailed discussion of the Syrian crisis, the report said.
“Mr. Putin noted that the Syrian authorities’ decision to hold parliamentary elections in April 2016 respects Syria’s constitution and does not hinder the efforts to organize the peace process,” the Kremlin's statement said.
According to the Kremlin's statement: “They [the world leaders] noted with satisfaction that the cease-fire is being generally respected and is already producing its first positive results. Most importantly, it creates conditions for launching a political settlement process in Syria through organization of intra-Syrian dialogue under the UN organization.”
All five leaders agreed to work to assist the International Syria Support Group and UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to end the violence in Syria. The partial cease-fire in Syria began on Feb. 27.
