Vice-President of the Syrian National Coalition, Dima Moussa, participated yesterday in a panel discussion titled “Syria: Finding the Way Out” during the MED 2019 Conference in Rome, Italy. The panel discussion, which featured UN Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen as a keynote speaker, considered four main questions that looked at the notion of the Syrian crisis approaching an end; the feasibility of the political solution, considering recent escalation; Russia’s role; and the impact of the latest developments on the Syrian population and the reconstruction process.
In her intervention, Moussa focused on where the political process is currently, particularly the constitutional committee, for which the second round ended in Geneva on Friday, 29 November without any meetings taking place due to persistence of the Syrian regime delegation to discuss issues not falling within the mandate of the Constitutional Committee. Moussa also talked during the panel discussion about the important of a comprehensive political solution, which requires full implementation of UNSC Res 2254. She added that none of the results of any part of the political process will have a meaning unless they are implementable in Syria, which will require working on other tracks within the political process to lay the foundation for an environment in which that is possible.
Moussa also emphasized the importance of a political solution that for Syrians and by Syrians to achieve the desired outcome of sustainable peace that will not only have the envisioned impact inside Syria, but also regionally and internationally. She noted that all of this needs to happen as soon as possible, as delays translate to more suffering of the Syrian people, which we all need to take seriously and do all that is possible to end.
Moussa additionally touched upon the role of the international community, and the need for all sides to collaborate to find common ground, which would enhance the chances for the political process to proceed more smoothly. She stressed the need for steps that will put the political process on the right path, including cessation of all military operations and targeting of civilians, and pushing for confidence building measures, especially those relating to the detainees and missing persons, and the victims of displacement.
Moussa finished by reminding the large audience of diplomats from around the world, media persons, academics, researchers, and others, that when it comes to Syria, addressing only the symptoms is not enough, and what is really needed is a solution that addresses the root causes of the problem, and unless and until that happens, there would be no real end to the Syrian crisis. (Source: Syrian National Coalition’s Media Department)
