Security Council fully supports Demistura's 4 baskets agenda

Security Council Press Statement on Syria

On 8 March 2017, the members of the Security Council were briefed by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, and reiterated their support for his leadership of the United Nations’ efforts to facilitate the lasting political settlement of the Syrian crisis through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.

         The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, and reiterated that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process based on the Geneva Communiqué of 30 June 2012, as endorsed by the Security Council resolution 2118 (2013), the Security Council resolutions 2254 (2015), 2268 (2016) and 2336 (2016), and relevant statements of the International Syria Support Group.

 The members of the Security Council welcomed the conclusion of a further round of United Nations-facilitated intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva on 3 March 2017. They further welcomed the announcement by Special Envoy de Mistura of a clear agenda for future negotiations as indicated by Resolution 2254, focusing on governance; constitutional issues; elections; and counter terrorism, security and confidence building measures.  

         The members of the Security Council reiterate their commitment to ensuring the inclusion of Syrian women in the political process through sustained consultation and dialogue and promoting their full and effective participation.

The members of the Security Council recognised that the continuation of political negotiations was made possible by the ceasefire developed through the Astana process.  

         The members of the Security Council called on the Syrian parties to fully implement the ceasefire, established pursuant to the arrangements of 29 December 2016, noted by UN Security Council resolution 2336, including ending ceasefire violations and ensuring humanitarian access.

 The members of the Council also  encouraged the International Syria Support Group members to use their influence over the parties to help end violations, reduce violence, build confidence and ensure safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access in line with UN Security Council resolution 2165 (2014).

         The Members of the Security Council looked forward to the early resumption of the intra-Syrian negotiations and encouraged the Syrian parties to return to talks in good faith and to engage constructively and without preconditions on the agenda set out by the UN Special Envoy when talks resume.

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