The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) Department of Foreign Relations held its periodic meeting in the presence of the SOC’s representatives in Arab and foreign countries. They discussed the latest developments in Syria, especially the political process, the work of the Constitutional Committee, and the issue of the IDP and refugees.
Participants reviewed the implementation of the Department’s plan of action and the work reports of the SOC’s representatives whose activities were focused on strengthening the SOC’s relations with all countries, mobilizing support for the Syrian refugees, and promoting the cause of the Syrian revolution.
Participants also discussed the results of the latest meeting between the SOC’s Caesar Act Follow-up Team and US officials. They also discussed the four lists of sanctions that the United States imposed on the Assad regime and those cooperating with it. They stressed that the sanctions should continue to target the Assad regime while excluding humanitarian aid, food and medical supplies.
Moreover, participants discussed the situation in northwestern Syria, especially the Assad regime and its backers’ violations as they stressed the need to preserve the ceasefire agreement signed last March in Sochi and to develop it into a nationwide ceasefire.
They also discussed the intra-Kurdish dialogue as they reaffirmed their support for the Kurdish National Council’s demands to dissociate from the PKK terrorist organization, put an end to forced recruitment, release detainees, and adopt an educational system away from partisan ideology and one that conforms to international standards.
The Department suggested working to activate the Arab role in the political process in Syria by strengthening relations with Arab states and seeking a more active role by the Arab League in finding a political solution in the country.
Furthermore, participants discussed the latest developments in the UN-led political process and the recent visits by the UN envoy, Geir Pedersen, to Russia and Damascus, expressing their hope that Pedersen would be able to reach an agreement on the agenda for the upcoming round of talks by the Constitutional Committee.
Participants expressed their outright rejection of the conference that the Russian Ministry of Defense said it would hold on the issue of the return of Syrian refugees. They said that the move is an attempt to circumvent international decisions, stressing the need to implement UN Security Resolution 2254 in order to ensure dignified, voluntary return of refugees in line with the standards of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
