In a joint declaration issued on Thursday 13 February, the governments of Syria and 19 other countries, the EU, and representatives of the United Nations, the League of Arab States and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf underlined their desire to work together to ensure a successful post-Assad transition (see EUROPE 13579/3).
The delegations also pledged to mobilise the international community to increase the volume and pace of humanitarian aid and early recovery and development assistance to the country. The countries concerned stressed the need to work towards the rapid lifting of economic sanctions against Syria, which are hindering the interests of the Syrian people and hampering economic recovery and political transition.
The participants announced that they were considering the creation of a permanent ‘Syrian Transition Support’ group to ensure ongoing dialogue, sustain the international community’s strategic coordination and assist the Syrian people in realizing their legitimate aspirations.
The participants also agreed to make every effort to facilitate the conditions necessary for the voluntary and lasting return of refugees.
To see the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/fiy (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)