14/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - Catherine Ashton calls for discussion between regime and coalition. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton urged the Syrian authorities, on Wednesday 13 February, to enter into discussions with the president of the Syrian coalition. “We also welcome the recent statements made by the president of the Syrian Coalition, Mr Al Khatib, who proposed to enter discussions with acceptable representatives of the Syrian government. We encourage the Syrian authorities to seize this opportunity”, she said, addressing the United Nations Security Council. She was of the view that “if, together, we can set up the right conditions and a timetable for discussions and add important confidence-building measures, we might be able to build a new momentum on what has been so far a most difficult challenge” (a political solution). (CG/transl.jl)