President of the Syrian National Coalition (SOC), Salem Al-Meslet, received a delegation from the French Foreign Ministry headed by the French envoy to Syria, Ambassador Brigitte Curmi. The two sides discussed the latest field and political developments in Syria, as well as the major developments related to Syria, particularly the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The meeting brought together SOC’s Vice-Presidents Abdulahad Astepho and Ruba Habboush, Secretary-General Haitham Rahma, and member of the political committee Abdullah Kaddo.
Al-Meslet stressed the importance of the French and European roles in advancing the stalled political process in Syria and in reaching a political transition in accordance with the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN resolutions, especially Resolutions 2118 and 2254. He reaffirmed the SOC’s commitment to the political process despite the Assad regime’s refusal to seriously engage in the political process and its insistence in pursuing a bloody military solution.
Al-Meslet pointed out that UN envoy Geir Pedersen’s “step for step” approach has raised many question.
Al-Meslet stressed that the SOC condemns the Russian aggression against Ukraine and considers that the Ukrainian people have become victims, as is the case with the Syrian people who have been subjected to unprecedented war crimes at the hands of the Assad regime and its Russian and Iranian enablers.
Moreover, Al-Meslet pointed out that the Assad regime’s vote at the United Nations against a resolution condemning the Russian aggression on Ukraine does not represent the Syrian people. He made it clear that the Assad regime uses Syria’s seat at the United Nations exclusively to serve its interests and those of Russia. He called for supporting the SOC’s request to exclude the Assad regime from the UN and giving Syria’s seat to the SOC as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.
For its part, the French delegation reiterated its country’s support for the demands of the Syrian people, pointing out that Syrian is still important for the European Union which will always seek to find a real solution. It stressed that “a deceptive image of stability does not achieve stability.”
The delegation spoke about France’s priorities in Syria, namely resuming intensive work to reach a political solution in Syria as Paris considers that the problem is not over yet and that there is no stability in the country.
The delegation stressed France’s rejection of any attempt to normalize relations with the Assad regime or lift the sanctions imposed on it, in addition to its refusal to contribute to reconstruction without reaching a real political solution in accordance with UN Resolution 2254.
The delegation indicated that France is working to find a common European vision on Syria, and is seeking to open a regional dialogue with the countries that are active in Syria and hosts Syrian refugees with the aim of finding a common solution.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
