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Russia calls for speedy reform in Syria

25 September 2011 00:12 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Russia’s foreign minister has urged the Syrian government to speed up the pace of reform as the European Union stiffened its sanctions against President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, APA reports quoting Ria Novosti.

Speaking during a ministerial meeting of the BRICS nations in New York, Sergei Lavrov warned the new EU sanctions could "threaten peace and stability in the region" and called on Syria’s government to deliver on the promised reforms.

"The Russian minister stressed the urgent need for the speedy implementation of the reforms," a Russian Foreign Ministry statement said.

The EU banned investment in Syria’s oil industry on Friday, following an earlier decision to halt imports of Syrian oil to Europe. The new measures also include asset freezes and travel bans for a number of senior Syrian officials.

At least 12 people have been killed in anti-Assad demonstrations across Syria following Friday prayers, as government troops continue to crack down on an uprising that began in March, al Jazeera television reported.

The BRICS club of fast developing nations consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.