NORDIC-BALTIC (NB8) STATEMENT DELIVERED BY SWEDISH FOREIGN MINISTER AT MINISTERIAL MEETING OF FRIENDS OF THE SYRIAN PEOPLE
Updated 2013-09-27
Ministerial Meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People
New York, 26 September 2013
Nordic-Baltic Intervention
On behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden, I would like to make four brief but essential points.
First, the only solution to the war in Syria is a political one.
Only through diplomacy can we preserve the sovereignty and unity of Syria and lay the groundwork for a lasting peace, and for the freedom, democracy and rule of law that the people of Syria deserves.
We've seen diplomatic breakthroughs taking place: the Geneva Communiqué of June last year, and the September 14 framework agreement on how to address the heinous use of chemical weapons.
Taken together, they form a solid basis to build upon.
We now need a Geneva II to take place urgently.
To this end, we express our full support of the efforts of the Joint Special Representative of the UN and the League of Arab States, Lakhdar Brahimi.
We recognize the crucial role of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces that should be united and inclusive in order to building a democratic Syria.
Through such unity, the Coalition could serve as a guarantor for a democratic, pluralistic Syria where all Syrians - women and men, minority and majority - can live in peace and enjoy equal rights.
Second, the humanitarian situation within Syria and in its neighbouing countries continues to be extremely worrying.
The Nordic and Baltic countries have provided significant humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, and to the countries in the region that have generously kept their borders open.
Our countries ready to continue this support, and urge others to stay engaged.
We call on all parties, in particular the Syrian authorities, to ensure immediate, safe and unimpeded access to people in need throughout Syria, through all possible channels, including cross-line and cross-border.
We reiterate the call for a UN Security Council on the respect for International Humanitarian Law
And we remind all parties of their obligation to protect civilians, in particular children, medical and humanitarian personnel, facilities and transports.
There must be no impunity for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, e.g. maiming, abducting or recruiting of children, sexual and gender-based violence.
The primary responsibility for this clearly rests with the Syrian authorities.
Third, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the extensive use of chemical weapons on August 21.
The September 14 agreement between the United States and Russia on the elimination of chemical weapons should be fully implemented, including through the necessary decisions by the OPCW and the Security Council.
The decision by Syria to adhere to the Chemical Weapons Convention is a step in the right direction, and we demand full compliance and implementation.
The cooperation of opposition forces on the ground is also a prerequisite, and we welcome the Coalition's recent letter to the Security Council, stating its support in this respect.
Fourth, we call on the UN Security Council members to assume their responsibility to unite to facilitate a political solution in Syria, to ensure the respect for international humanitarian law, and to agree on a resolution to take the September 14 agreement forward.
Thank you.
New York, 26 September 2013
Nordic-Baltic Intervention
On behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden, I would like to make four brief but essential points.
First, the only solution to the war in Syria is a political one.
Only through diplomacy can we preserve the sovereignty and unity of Syria and lay the groundwork for a lasting peace, and for the freedom, democracy and rule of law that the people of Syria deserves.
We've seen diplomatic breakthroughs taking place: the Geneva Communiqué of June last year, and the September 14 framework agreement on how to address the heinous use of chemical weapons.
Taken together, they form a solid basis to build upon.
We now need a Geneva II to take place urgently.
To this end, we express our full support of the efforts of the Joint Special Representative of the UN and the League of Arab States, Lakhdar Brahimi.
We recognize the crucial role of the National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces that should be united and inclusive in order to building a democratic Syria.
Through such unity, the Coalition could serve as a guarantor for a democratic, pluralistic Syria where all Syrians - women and men, minority and majority - can live in peace and enjoy equal rights.
Second, the humanitarian situation within Syria and in its neighbouing countries continues to be extremely worrying.
The Nordic and Baltic countries have provided significant humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, and to the countries in the region that have generously kept their borders open.
Our countries ready to continue this support, and urge others to stay engaged.
We call on all parties, in particular the Syrian authorities, to ensure immediate, safe and unimpeded access to people in need throughout Syria, through all possible channels, including cross-line and cross-border.
We reiterate the call for a UN Security Council on the respect for International Humanitarian Law
And we remind all parties of their obligation to protect civilians, in particular children, medical and humanitarian personnel, facilities and transports.
There must be no impunity for violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, e.g. maiming, abducting or recruiting of children, sexual and gender-based violence.
The primary responsibility for this clearly rests with the Syrian authorities.
Third, we condemn in the strongest possible terms the extensive use of chemical weapons on August 21.
The September 14 agreement between the United States and Russia on the elimination of chemical weapons should be fully implemented, including through the necessary decisions by the OPCW and the Security Council.
The decision by Syria to adhere to the Chemical Weapons Convention is a step in the right direction, and we demand full compliance and implementation.
The cooperation of opposition forces on the ground is also a prerequisite, and we welcome the Coalition's recent letter to the Security Council, stating its support in this respect.
Fourth, we call on the UN Security Council members to assume their responsibility to unite to facilitate a political solution in Syria, to ensure the respect for international humanitarian law, and to agree on a resolution to take the September 14 agreement forward.
Thank you.
