Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said that “we cannot accept that those with blood of the Syrian people on their hands can be part of Syria’s future. This is unlikely. Assad cannot remain president of Syria endlessly.”
Koenders stressed that “the uprising against the Assad regime was sparked by various reasons and for legitimate demands. The status quo in Syria puts us in front of two choices: Assad or ISIS, but this a false choice, so we must strengthen the alternative choice by empowering the moderate opposition.”
Konders pointed out that “we support de Mistura’s “freeze plan” which we see it as a pressing need for humanitarian and political reasons. We are also looking into the potential of resuming the negotiations on the basis of the Geneva declaration. These two efforts are important and should complement one another.” (Source: Syrian Coalition + Al Hayat Newspaper)
