President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Salem Al-Meslet, met the Charge d’ Affair of the EU Delegation to Syria Dr. Dan Stoenescu and discussed with him the latest political and field developments in the region and the repercussions of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In attendance were member of the SOC’s political committee and Head of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Syrian Negotiations Commission Badr Jamous, and Politcal Officer at the EU Delegation to Syria Joris Van Winckel.
Al-Meslet stressed the importance of confronting Russia with a tough stance by the European Union, the United States and NATO. He also stressed need for concrete action against the Russian presence in Syria and against the Hmeimim airbase which is being used by Russia.
Al-Meslet also stressed the need for the European Union to press the UN envoy to advance the political process and begin discussing the basket of transitional governance in Syria. He called for showing more seriousness in addressing the situation in Syria and putting an end to the suffering of the Syrian people. He pointed out that the SOC is looking for a solution for the entire Syrian people, not just those who live in the liberated areas.
Moreover, Al-Meslet talked about the importance of addressing the issue of detainees and working for their release them from the prisons of the Assad regime.
He stressed that the political transition must take place in accordance with UN resolutions, reaffirming the SOC’s rejection of the recently proposed “step-for-step” approach as contradicting the spirit and letter of UN resolutions; serving the Assad regime and its rehabilitation; and will not achieve any of the Syrian people’s demands.
For its part, the EU delegation highly appreciated the SOC’s principled position of showing solidarity with Ukraine against the Russian aggression. They said that the EU will impose more sanctions on Russia to bring it to the negotiating table.
The delegation stressed that the EU maintains its position on the Assad regime and on its rejection of returning the Assad regime to the Arab League. They also stressed that under no circumstances can the “step-for-step” proposal replace UN Resolution 2254 or any of its provisions, especially the formation of the transitional governing body.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
