Secretary Kerry and Minister Lavrov Discuss Syria, North Korea

February 17, 2013

According to U.S. State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland, “The Secretary and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke for nearly half an hour this morning on the situation in Syria and ongoing work at the UNSC to respond to the DPRK's nuclear test. They also agreed to compare calendars to try to set a first bilateral meeting in the coming weeks.

“On Syria, they discussed the importance of the U.S. and Russia using their respective influence on the parties in support of a viable political transition process.  The Secretary underscored the urgency of ending the bloodshed, preventing further deterioration of the institutions of the state, and protecting the rights of all Syrians and helping them to resist extremism and further sectarian strife.

“The Secretary and FM Lavrov also agreed on the need for close cooperation in New York on a swift response to the DPRK's latest provocative step.”