President of the Syrian Coalition Anas al-Abdah said that any proposal for a solution in Syria that does not guarantee the departure of Assad at the beginning of the transitional period would be doomed to fail and is lacking in credibility.
A meeting between the Syrian Coalition and Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service Helga Schmid in Istanbul earlier today discussed the latest developments in the political process and the challenges facing the Geneva negotiations.
President Abdah reaffirmed support for the position the High Negotiations Committee (HNC) took in light of the lack of seriousness on the part of the Assad regime. He warned of the consequences resulting from the continued breaches of the truce by the Assad regime and its allies.
Abdah referred to the fact that not a single blockade on the besieged areas has been lifted, nor has progress been made in the file of detainees in Assad’s prisons since the truce took effect in January 27.
Abdah pointed out that the opposition’s decision to suspend participation in the Geneva negotiations can be seen as an opportunity for the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) to review the course of negotiations and develop mechanisms in order to avoid the collapse of the negotiations in Geneva.
Schmid reiterated the European Union’s support for the Syrian opposition and the demands of the Syrian revolution, stressing the EU commitment to supporting the political process until a political transition is put in place.
Schmid pointed out that the EU still insists on accountability and ending killing in Syria, adding that the EU fully supports the Syrian people’s right to self-determination. She also said that the EU refuses attempts by others to determine Syria’s future, and that the interests of the Syrian people must be represented in any future solution. (Source: Syrian Coalition)
