Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

International Conference on Syria Kicks Off in the Presence of 70 States, Organizations | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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EU’s foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini (L) and UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura during a joint news conference ahead of the Brussels meeting on Syria (Reuters)


Brussels – The Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region kicked off on Tuesday with the aim to rev up funding support to the war-torn country and back efforts towards the achievement of a comprehensive political transition.

Sources from the European Union told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that discussions on Tuesday focused on humanitarian conditions and the situation of Syrian displaced and refugees.

Regional and international organizations participated in the talks to assess where the international community stands collectively in fulfilling commitments made at the London Conference in February 2016 and agree on additional efforts required to meet the needs of those affected by the crisis.

In a statement, the EU said that representatives from 70 delegations, including the EU, the United Nations, major donors and civil society, and humanitarian and development organizations, attended the meeting.

The conference is co-chaired by the EU, Germany, Kuwait, Norway, Qatar, the UK, and the UN.

The EU statement added that the Brussels conference would reconfirm existing pledges and identify additional support to Syrians in need inside Syria and in neighboring countries, as well as to the respective host communities, in response to the UN coordinated appeals.

On Wednesday, discussions will focus on how the international community can support a lasting political resolution to the Syrian conflict through an inclusive and Syrian-led political transition process based on the relevant Security Council resolutions, and particularly the framework of the UNSC Resolution 2254, and the Geneva communiqué.

“The conference will reconfirm the international community’s commitment to continuing to deliver assistance to Syrians in need, as well as their host communities,” the statement added.