The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) Department of Foreign Relations received German officials and discussed with them the field and humanitarian situation in Syria, as well as prospects of the political process.
The meeting brought together member of the Department Dima Moussa, First Secretary of the Syria Team at the German Embassy in Beirut David Budde, and political officer at the German embassy in Ankara Stefan Raffeiner.
Moussa stressed the need for continued international support for the Syrian people and the implementation of UN resolutions, most importantly UN Security Council resolution 2254, which would guarantee a just political solution and lay the groundwork for a genuine political transition that brings an end to the tragedy in Syria. She also emphasized the need to maintain UNSC resolution 2585 and extend it in order to ensure continued access to humanitarian aid for more than five million civilians in northwestern Syria.
Moussa also stressed the importance of focusing the efforts and addressing the issue of detainees who are suffering awful conditions in the prisons of the Assad regime. She made it clear that the Syrian cause must not be reduced to the humanitarian aspect at the expense of the pollical process and the just demands for which the Syrian people rose up and made tremendous sacrifices. She maintained that none of these demands can be fulfilled without a comprehensive political solution.
Regarding the return of Syrian refugees, Moussa stressed that the situation in Syria is not suitable for the return of refugees as long as the reasons for their displacement, chief among them the security situation and the regime’s actions, still exist. She added that the return of refugees must be safe and voluntary, which requires creating the suitable conditions, foremost of which is safety at all levels.
For their part, the German officials reaffirmed their country’s position and its continued support for the Syrian people. They also reiterated Germany’s commitment to a political solution in accordance with UN resolutions and to supporting the efforts of the UN envoy to Syria. They also stressed that Germany’s position towards the regime remains unchanged. They also said that Germany would continue the provision of support for humanitarian and civil society organizations operating in IDPs camps in northwestern Syria.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
