Geneva ‘no longer possible’ for Syria’s Constitutional Committee’s meetings – UN diplomat
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Talks between the delegations of both Syrian government and Syrian opposition scheduled to begin on July 25 in Geneva, Switzerland, “are no longer possible,” the UN special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said.
The Syrian government delegation informed Pedersen of its rejection to participate in the 9th round of the Constitutional Committee, contending that Switzerland is not neutral because of its support for European Union sanctions against its ally Russia.
Pedersen said in a statement that talks on revising the constitution of the conflict-torn country could not be held and alluded to the neutrality issue.
The Constitutional Committee was formed by the UN to bring the Syrian government and opposition together within the context of the political solution for the Syrian crisis.
The committee, which was first met in 2019, has a Large Body and a Small Body; the Large Body comprises 150 members: 50 of the government, 50 of the opposition and 50 of the civil society. While the Small Body comprises 45 members: 15 of the government, 15 of the opposition and 15 of the civil society.
The UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Monday, “We do reaffirm the neutrality of Switzerland as a venue for much of the work that the United Nations does.”
“Discussions on Syria need to be kept as much as possible separate and apart from discussions on other topics,” Haq added.
A report publicized by Asharq al-Awsat indicated that the Syrian government delegation refrained from participating due to Switzerland’s position on the Ukrainian war and its break from neutrality.
Russia is not satisfied with Switzerland’s joining Western sanctions against it because of the war on Ukraine, it added.
Russia rather suggested Sochi, Moscow, Damascus, Algeria or Muscat as possible alternative hosts.
On June 3, the 8th round ended in Geneva after the Small Body finished with discussing four constitutional principles for five days.