Syria legislative polls not to interfere with peace process: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin tells the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy that the Syrian government’s decision to hold parliamentary elections in April does not interfere with the peace process in the crisis-hit country.

Putin made the remarks during a 50-minute conference call on Friday with British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

"The Russian side noted that a decision by the Syrian authorities to hold parliamentary elections in April, 2016 is being conducted in accordance with the existing Syrian constitution and does not interfere with steps to build the peace process," the Kremlin said in a statement following the phone call.

Last month, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad called for legislative polls to be held on April 13.

According to the Kremlin statement, all European sides expressed satisfaction that the ceasefire in Syria “is being observed on the whole” and “is creating conditions for the launch of a political process in Syria through the inter-Syrian dialogue under the auspices of the United Nations."

A ceasefire agreement in Syria, brokered by Russia and the United States, entered into force on February 27. The Syrian government accepted the terms of the truce on condition that military efforts against Daesh and the al-Nusra Front Takfiri terrorists, who are excluded from the ceasefire, continue.

Talking to reporters after the Friday conference call, Cameron’s spokeswoman said the European leaders told Putin that the truce should be used to try to secure a lasting peace in Syria without President Bashar al-Assad in power.

Hollande, too, criticized the Syrian president for scheduling the elections for next month, calling the move "provocative" and "unrealistic."

After the phone conversation, Merkel said that Putin confirmed his commitment to respecting the Syrian ceasefire.

"I would like to underline that respecting the ceasefire is an important message which was confirmed by the Russian president today, limiting attacks to Daesh and the al-Nusra Front," she said.

MG