On Tuesday 24 April, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said the EU and UN should not be asked for miracles to relaunch the political process when the three Astana guarantors – Russia, Iran and Turkey – are not fulfilling their role.
"Geneva is where all should be used to relaunch the political process. Everyone has his job. Asking the UN or EU to do miracles when the main players are not doing their part is too much", he said at a press conference with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini after a meeting in Brussels with members of Syrian civil society.
De Mistura called on the guarantors to respect the commitments taken in the Astana process, namely to work towards the de-escalation of military tension. "We are seeing in the last few weeks, days (...) that military gains, territorial gains and military escalation do not bring a political solution, has not brought any change. On the contrary", he said. "The three guarantors have a responsibility and interest to guarantee that the military situation is calmed", Mogherini added, saying that Astana had brought hopes of appeasement but that these hopes had vanished. "More military action does not pave the way (for a political solution). The weapons must be silenced for humanitarian and political reasons", she said.
Speaking about the discussions between the members of civil society, Mogherini said that if all the parties to the conflict had as much maturity as these members of civil society, "the conflict should have been settled a long time ago". "They are a good model for those who should sit down around the UN table in Geneva and find a political solution to the conflict", she added.
De Mistura also warned against a worsening of the situation in Idlib, which is home to 2.5 million people and where the government's offensive is growing stronger. "It must not become a new Aleppo or Eastern Ghouta", he warned. In de Mistura's view, while awaiting a "famous" political solution, the humanitarian aspect must not be abandoned. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)