Al-Moallem: Aggressive behavior of Erdogan’s regime seriously threatens work of constitutional committee, prolongs crisis in Syria

Damascus,(ST) –  Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Walid al-Moallem received on Monday morning the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pederson, and his accompanying  delegation.

During the meeting, they discussed in detail the issues and procedures related to the preparation of the first meeting of the Constitutional Discussion Committee, which will be held at the end of October in Geneva.

The two sides reaffirmed that the work of the Commission is solely a Syrian issue.

They stressed the importance that Syrians lead their work without any external interference, stressing the need to abide by the rules and procedures of the agreed work of the Commission to ensure the achievement of the desired goal.
The two sides discussed recent developments in northeastern Syria and their potential and serious impacts on the work of the constitutional debate committee and on the political track.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates pointed out that Syria continues to confront terrorist organizations and forces that infringe upon its sovereignty and independence, stressing that protecting the Syrian people is the task of the Syrian state and the Syrian Arab Army only.

He said that the aggressive behavior of the Erdogan regime clearly demonstrates the Turkish expansionist ambitions in Syrian territories and this behavior cannot be justified under any pretext. It seriously threatens the work of the constitutional debate and the political process and prolongs the period of the crisis in Syria, stressing the inviolability, sovereignty, integrity and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic and Syria’s determination to confront Turkish aggression by all legitimate means.

The Special Envoy to Syria discussed with Minister al-Moallem the results of his meetings and contacts he held during the last period with regard to Syria and also on the launching the work of the Constitution Discussion Committee, expressing his readiness to do everything required of him in the framework of his specific tasks in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Committee’s agreed work.

Pederson also voiced the UN and Secretary-General’s deep concern over the recent and dangerous developments in northeastern Syria and the serious humanitarian consequences resulting from them, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a move away from actions that endanger civilians, undermine Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity over all its territories, and destabilize efforts.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister Dr. Faisal Al-Miqdad, Assistant Minister Dr. Ayman Susan and Director of the Private Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Mohammad Al-Amrani.

Raghda Sawas