On Saturday 10 September, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini welcomed the agreement obtained that day between the co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) - the US and Russia - to obtain a new ceasefire in Syria. She called on all parties to the conflict to ensure its effective implementation. The ceasefire is due to begin on Monday 12 September, the first day of Eid al Kebir, at the end of the day. The truce is planned for a 48-hour period, which could be extended by 48 hours if the ceasefire in hostilities manages to hold.
In a press release, Mogherini stated that "all parties to the conflict, other than groups designated as terrorist organisations by the United Nations Security Council, must now ensure its effective implementation in order to restore the cessation of hostilities, enable the lifting of all sieges and allow sustained, countrywide humanitarian access to those in need, as well as progress on the issue of detainees and missing persons". On Monday, before the truce began, the Syrian opposition called for guarantees to be given on the application of the truce
Mogherini considers that the resumption of fighting since the initial cessation of hostilities agreement in February 2016 (see EUROPE 11501) “has demonstrated again that there can be no military solution to the conflict, and that the elimination of Da’esh and other UN-listed terrorist entities in Syria also requires a political solution to the civil war”.
Mogherini joined the ISSG chairs in urging the UN to prepare a proposal for political transition, based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and input given by the Syrian parties, “including that issued by the High Negotiations Committee (Syrian opposition)” in London on 7 September. Mogherini stated that the proposal should serve as the starting point for resumption of the intra-Syrian talks and direct negotiations facilitated by UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura. She added that “the EU stands ready to fully and actively support these negotiations in close coordination with the UN Envoy and the two ISSG co-chairs”, and said that the EU is also ready to provide support to stabilisation and reconstruction, “once a political transition has started”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)