Sweden continues supporting northeast Syria and SDF: Swedish envoy to Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Swedish envoy to Syria Per Orneus said on Monday that the closure of the Tel Kocher crossing to the arrival of humanitarian aid to northeastern Syria is a “big problem that cannot be accepted.”
He added in an exclusive interview with North Press that the closure of the crossing to aid access is a very unfortunate development, and they always remind the international community that it is a serious problem.
Orneus arrived in Qamishli on Saturday, heading a delegation that included Thomas Marcus, responsible for the humanitarian file in the Swedish Foreign Ministry, and Evin Çetin, advisor to the European Institute for Peace.
Illegal Interference
The Swedish envoy reiterated his country’s position on considering the Turkish military intervention in northeastern Syria “contradicting international law.”
“We were very clear that the military intervention must stop immediately,” he said.
He added, “Now, a year later, the interference has not stopped. Therefore, the position of the entire European Union, and the position of my country’s government, is very clear on it, is that it is illegal interference.”
Orneus, indicated that his country continues to provide diplomatic support and assistance in the development and humanitarian sectors in North and East Syria.
Last week’s visit of Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde to Turkey witnessed quarrels with the Turkish Foreign Minister over the Turkish military operation in northeastern Syria.
“The strong position of the European Union is still the same, and they continue to urge Turkey to withdraw,” Linde told her Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu.
A non-separatist entity
Orneus expressed his belief that the Autonomous Administration project is very important as a non-separatist entity, and they fully respect the territorial integrity of Syria.
He added, “This is what we hear from the administration and the political leadership.”
He pointed out that despite the tragedy that occurred after the Turkish attack in 2019, the Autonomous Administration in North and East Syria (AANES) worked for all components of its people and for various ethnicities and political parties.
“It is a model for all of Syria in a way,” Orneus said. “It is multi-ethnic, democratic, and peaceful. What Syria needs is more peace, not more war.”
The Swedish envoy, during a visit to the Washokani and Sere Kaniye camps in the city of Hasakah and its countryside, pledged to work as much as possible to alleviate the suffering of the displaced persons in the Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) region.
Orneus expressed his regret at the difficulty of finding a solution in Syria, but also expressed his belief that the solution “will not be military.”