The situation in Syria was in focus of a meeting between Russian president’s special envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and the UN Secretary-General’s deputy envoy for Syria, Ramzi Izzeddin Ramzi, the Russian foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

"The sides discussed the current situation in and around Syria, with a special focus on efforts to promote political settlement on the basis of the resolutions of the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi," the ministry said.

"The Russian side stressed the necessity to increase assistance to restoration efforts in Syria, including in the interests of creating conditions for the return of refugees and internally displaced persons," the ministry said.

According to the Russian Center for Reception, Allocation and Accommodation of Refugees in Syria, as many as 251 educational and 108 medical institutions have been restored since July 18, 2018. Five motor bridges and 793 kilometers of highways have been repaired, a total of 720 kilometers of electricity transmission lines, 109 electricity substations, 98 water supplies facilities, 99 bakeries and 33 industrial enterprises have been put into operation.

Restoration and repair works are underway in 300 populated localities in Syria’s Aleppo, Rif Dimashq, Deir ez-Zor, Latakia, Hama and Homs governorates.