19/10/2021 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 18 October, the EEAS spokesperson welcomed the opening that day of the sixth round of negotiations of the Syrian Constitutional Committee in Geneva. “We are encouraged by UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen’s announcement that the Committee will now finally start the drafting of Syria’s new Constitution”, he said in a statement. “Any sustainable solution to the conflict requires a genuine political transition, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254”, the spokesperson warned, stressing the particular importance of significant progress on the issue of detainees. He also underlined the EU’s concern about the recent increase in violence in Syria, calling on all parties to adhere to the principle of protection of civilians and international humanitarian law, to avoid escalation and to restore calm. (CG)