Washington and Brussels has welcomed the opening of the sixth round of Constitutional Committee talks between the Syrian regime and opposition in Geneva on Monday.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said: “It is essential that the Syrian regime and leaders of the opposition engage constructively in Geneva,” consistent with the UN Security Council resolution on Syria.
In a tweet, the US Embassy in Syria said Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Ethan Goldrich had met with Constitutional Committee opposition co-chair Hadi al-Bahra in Geneva.
He expressed Washington’s support for recent Constitutional Committee negotiations aimed at advancing a Syrian-led political process as outlined in UNSCR 2254
On Monday, the European Union welcomed the start of the resumption of the committee talks.
“We are encouraged by UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen’s announcement that the Committee will now finally start the drafting of Syria’s new Constitution,” said Peter Stano, the lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy.
“The EU fully supports the efforts of UN Special Envoy Pedersen to make progress on all elements of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254, and reaffirms that any sustainable solution to the conflict in Syria requires a genuine political transition in line with that resolution,” added Stano.
“The EU also emphasizes the particular importance of meaningful progress on the question of detainees,” he stressed.
“The EU is concerned about a recent increase in violence in Syria, and joins the UN Special Envoy in his call on all parties to adhere to the principle of protection of civilians and international humanitarian law, and to avoid escalation and restore calm.”
Bahra had announced the start of the basic process for which the Committee was formed, after agreeing on the complete mechanisms of discussion and work.
