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Germany Stresses Commitment to Political Process in Syria | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel speaks during a joint news conference with Iraq’s Kurdistan region’s President Massoud Barzani (not pictured) in Erbil, Iraq April 20, 2017. REUTERS/Azad Lashkari


Beirut– German Foreign Affairs Minister Sigmar Gabriel stressed his country’s commitment to supporting a political process in Syria, during a meeting on Tuesday in Berlin with Riad Hijab, the General Coordinator of the High Negotiations Committee of the Syrian opposition.

Gabriel welcomed efforts deployed by UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura to boost the political process.

“I very much welcome the fact that UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura is currently trying to expedite the negotiation process. I asked Riad Hijab to play a constructive and active role in this context. Success will require a unified opposition that represents the interests of all sections of Syria’s population,” the German foreign minister said on his Twitter account following the meeting.

He added that the recent round of talks in Geneva “has once again demonstrated how the regime is trying to draw out and undermine the negotiations.”

“This means it is all the more important to have a unified and courageous opposition,” Gabriel added.

He continued: “The questions relating to Syria’s future are too important to allow the delaying tactics of the Syrian regime to work. The delegation of the opposition is working to ensure this doesn’t happen. They are continuing their serious and constructive engagement for a political solution to the conflict.”

The German foreign minister called on those who support the Syrian regime, namely Russia and Iran, to work toward cessation of hostilities throughout the country so that secure and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance and aid workers could finally be achieved.

Hijab, for his part, stressed the Committee’s adherence to a peaceful solution through the international mediation, while underlining the need “to submit fresh and new proposals that would be adapted to the transformations witnessed in the region”.