UPDATE - Lavrov Discusses Libyan, Syrian, Yemeni Crises With Le Drian On Sidelines Of UNGA - Moscow

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 28th September, 2018) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the situation in Libya, Syria and Yemen with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"On September 27, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a conversation with French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly in New York City. The heads of the foreign ministries discussed the situation in Syria, around Libya and Yemen. The parties have considered the process of implementation of the JCPOA [Iran nuclear deal]. Individual issues of the bilateral agenda were also touched upon," the ministry said in a statement on the results of the talks.

The issues of Libya and Syria were also discussed by Lavrov and his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita during their Thursday meeting, according to another statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The two diplomats also covered the Western Sahara settlement during their talks.

On the same day, Lavrov held a meeting with Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces, the president of the 73rd session of the UNGA. The talks were dedicated to the issues of increasing the effectiveness of the UNGA work.

Moreover, the Russian foreign minister met for talks with his Jamaican counterpart Kamina Johnson Smith. The two diplomats inked a bilateral intergovernmental agreement on abandoning visa requirements for the citizens of the two countries.

During his negotiations with Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo, Lavrov said that Russia was ready to support Bogota in the settlement of the Colombian conflict, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. The parties also discussed various issues of the bilateral agenda and expressed their interest in the further development of the bilateral dialogue and boosting trade and economic cooperation.

The Russian top diplomat also held a meeting with St. Vincent and the Grenadines' Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves on Thursday. During their talks, the two politicians signed a bilateral visa liberalization agreement.

Additionally, Lavrov held talks with Bolivian Foreign Minister Diego Pary Rodriguez, who came into office in early September. During the talks, the Russian foreign minister once again congratulated his Bolivian counterpart on the appointment. The two foreign ministers discussed various issues of bilateral and multilateral agenda, including their coordination within the UN Security Council.

The 73rd UN General Assembly session began on September 18 and will last through October 5.

During his visit to New York City for the event, Lavrov held multiple bilateral and multilateral meetings. Later on Friday, the Russian top diplomat will give a speech at the session.