The joint delegation of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC) and the Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC) to the United States met the EU mission to the United Nations on the sidelines of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. The two sides discussed the latest developments on the ground and in the political process in Syria.
The meeting brought together SNC’s President Anas Abdah, SOC’s Vice-presidents Abdulahad Asteifou, Abdul Hakim Bashar, Ruba Habboush, SNC’s member Fadwa Al-Ujaili, and Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the European Union Enrique Mora.
The joint delegation stressed the important role of the European Union in Syria at the political and humanitarian levels, stressing that it is unacceptable to start funding reconstruction before implementing UN Resolution 2254 and achieving a full political transition in the country.
The joint delegation stressed that easing the sanctions imposed on the Assad regime cannot take place before implementing UN resolutions, especially UN Resolution 2254, and putting a political transition in place.
The joint delegation also stressed that Syrian refugees cannot be returned to the country before reaching a political solution that leads to a comprehensive political transition in line with UN resolutions and that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people. They stressed that forcible return will put refugees’ lives at serious risk.
The delegation called for finding a neutral mechanism to follow up the issue of detainees and the forcibly disappeared persons, calling also for stepping up humanitarian support for the liberated areas.
The delegation highlighted the suffering of Syrian civilians in the areas east of the Euphrates at the hands of the terrorist practices of the PKK militias. They stressed the importance of the east of the Euphrates region, which is rich in natural resources, making it clear that these resources do not benefit Syrians, but go to the PKK terrorist organization. They also indicated that humanitarian aid being sent by donor countries to east of the Euphrates does not go to those who deserve it, but to the PKK militia.
For his part, Mora spoke about the EU’s policy and its support for international and regional efforts aimed at achieving a political solution in Syria.
Mora pointed out that the EU looks positively at the US-Russian negotiations and pins hopes on them for making progress in the political process. (Source: SOC’s Media Department)
