Al-Maollem Meets Guterres, Czech PM, Iranian and Omani Counterparts in New York
NEW YORK, (ST)- Syria is committed to full cooperation with the United Nations in order to launch the work of the recently formed committee for discussing the Syrian constitution, Deputy Premier, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Walid al-Moallem said during his meeting on Friday with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly.
Al-Moallem-Guterres meeting, which focused on the constitutional committee, discussed also the political and military developments in Syria, the continuous fight against terrorism and the implementation of the relevant resolutions and the UN role as a facilitator to reach a settlement in Syria.
The Syrian top diplomat reiterated that the constitutional committee must work independently away from any foreign interference in order to achieve the hoped-for results and make it a success, pointing out that any irresponsible step by any party that violates Syria’s sovereignty over its entire territory will foil the work of this committee.
According to al-Moallem, fighting terrorism should be the priority of the work of the United Nations and the international community, thus, the relevant Security Council resolutions must be implemented and all the countries which support, fund and arm terrorist groups must stop doing so.
On his part, Guterres welcomed the formation of the Syrian-led constitutional committee, pointing out that this step would be the beginning of a political process to solve the crisis in Syria.
He affirmed that the UN supports the efforts of the UN Chief’s Special Envoy for Syria to facilitate the Syrian-Syrian dialogue, expressing hope that security and stability will be restored to all the Syrian territories soon and that Syria will restore its key position in the Arab region and the world.
Need to lift European Union’s Sanction on Syria
In the same contest, Al-Moallem’s talks with the Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis concentrated on developments in Syria, bilateral ties and the role that can be played by the Czech Republic in the reconstruction era in Syria. Focus was also put on the efforts being exerted to help the Syrian refugees return home and the need to end the illegal presence of foreign troops in Syria.
Al-Moallem, who described the Czech stance concerning the situation in Syria as balanced, called on the Czech government to exert more efforts in order to help lift the coercive sanctions imposed by European Union on Syria. He welcomed the Czech participation in reconstructing what the terrorist war had destroyed in the country.
On his part, Babis said that the Czech government wants Europe to play a more active positive role in solving the crises in Syria and the region, noting that his country welcomes the creation of the constitutional committee on Syria.
The meeting between al-Moallem and the Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif dealt with the positive and constructive role being played by Iran to help attain stability and security in Syria and the region.
Al-Moallem hailed Iran’s assistance in the fight against terrorism in Syria, stressing the need to strengthen the strategic relations and distinguished coordination between Syria and Iran in the confrontation the US and western economic terrorism and hegemony schemes .
Zarif, on his part, affirmed Iran’s full commitment to coordination with Syria and its support for the Syrian people in the face of terrorism and aggression.
He also reviewed efforts being exerted to end the tension in the Gulf region.
The Syrian foreign minister also held a meeting with his Omani counterpart Yusuf Bin Alawi during which the two sides affirmed the need for continuous coordination to face the challenges and schemes facing the Arab region.
Hamda Mustafa