The President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Salem Al-Meslet, met with Mr. Carl Hallergard, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the UN and International Organizations in Geneva on Wednesday at the European Union headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. Members of the SOC’s political committee, Zuhair Muhammad and Yahya Maktabi, also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the political process, which has stalled due to the Assad regime’s continued refusal to engage in implementing international resolutions on Syria, especially the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Resolutions 2118 and 2254. The need to move the political process forward was emphasized.
The latest developments in Syria and the attitudes of some countries towards the Assad regime were also discussed. Both sides reaffirmed their rejection of normalization, contribution to reconstruction, and the lifting of any sanctions on the regime before a political transition in the country is achieved. Accountability was also emphasized.
The situation of Syrian refugees was addressed, and it was agreed that they should not be forced to return to regime-controlled areas unless there is progress in the political process and the voluntary, safe, and dignified return to a safe and neutral environment is guaranteed.
The delegation called on the European Union to intervene urgently to stop the Lebanese authorities from forcibly returning Syrian refugees, which is contrary to international resolutions and norms.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
