The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) Department of Foreign Relations met with the French Syria team at the French Foreign Ministry in Paris to discuss the latest field and political developments in Syria as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its repercussions on Syria.
The meeting brought together SOC’s Vice President for Foreign Relations Abdulahad Astepho, SOC’s representative in France Noureddine al-Labbad, Deputy Secretary-General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Anne Gueguen, and the diplomat in the administration Marjorie Valerie.
Astepho talked about the SOC’s policy and its goals, stressing that it will continue the struggle at all levels to overthrow the Assad regime and restore Syria’s important role as a free, civil, democratic country.
The two sides discussed the “step for step” proposal of the UN envoy to Syria Geir Pedersen. Astepho reiterated the SOC’s rejection of any proposal that is not clearly defined and that does not truly serve the interests of the Syrian people. He also reaffirmed the SOC’s commitment to a political solution in accordance with UN resolutions, most importantly the Geneva Communique of 2012 and UN Resolutions 2118 and 2254.
The two sides also discussed the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and its global repercussions, especially on Syria. Astepho stressed the need to change the West’s policy in Syria and give it greater importance in view of the fact that failing to confront Putin in Syria encouraged him to invade Ukraine.
Participants also discussed the launch of the Development and Peace Association, which the SOC has recently established in France. Astepho stressed the need to support the Association’s work in the coming period.
For her part, Gueguen reaffirmed her country’s continuous support for the Syrian people and their demands, stressing that Paris will not change its position on the Assad regime and that it will not accept any normalization of relations with it.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
