Brussels, 25/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - The spokesperson for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton told EUROPE on 25 February that the European Union had taken “positive note” of the statement made that day by the Syrian minister for foreign affairs, Walid al-Mouallem, that the Syrian regime would be prepared to hold discussions with “all those seeking dialogue, including the armed groups”. The spokesperson said that if this statement is followed by “concrete steps”, it “could help move the process towards bringing a peaceful solution to the violence in Syria through dialogue between the Coalition and representatives of the Syrian regime”. The spokesperson pointed that the EU had always maintained that “the key to the solution of the conflict lies in facilitating the Syrian-led process, and called on the representatives of the Syrian regime to respond positively to the offer of political dialogue made by the President of the coalition”.
Mr al-Muallem stated that Syria was seeking a peaceful solution to the problem in the country and that a government commission had been set up to hold talks with the opposition in Syria and even with opposition forces abroad.
On 22 February, the Syrian Opposition Coalition, which wants to form a government in charge of regions controlled by the rebels, announced that it would be suspending its participation in the “Friends of the Syrian People” group meeting due to take place in Rome on Thursday 28 February at which 11 countries will be represented but not the EU. It also said that it would be cancelling its participation in meetings with Russia and the US. According to one European source, although the EU is encouraging the coalition to participate in international meetings, the Rome meeting was to take place in an informal framework. In a press release, the head of the Syrian Opposition Coalition, Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib, emphasised that this suspension was a message of protest to all governments in the world that can see how the Syrian people are being killed and just look on. The United Kingdom has encouraged the coalition to “reconsider” its decision and explained that it was preparing a new offer of support for the meeting in Rome. (CG/transl.fl)