Rome, 12 December 2024
The Italian G7 Presidency has published the following G7 Leaders’ statement on the lastest developments in Syria:
“We, the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), reaffirm our commitment to the people of Syria, and lend our full support for an inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition process in the spirit of the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. We call on all parties to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and national unity, and respect its independence and sovereignty. We reiterate our support for the UN Disengagement Observer Force monitoring the Golan Heights between Israel and Syria.
We stand ready to support a transition process under this framework that leads to credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance that ensures respect for the rule of law, universal human rights, including women’s rights, the protection of all Syrians, including religious and ethnic minorities, transparency and accountability. The G7 will work with and fully support a future Syrian government that abides by those standards and results from that process.
Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of holding the Assad regime accountable for its crimes and will continue to work with the OPCW and other partners to secure, declare and destroy Syria’s remaining chemical weapons stockpiles.
After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria. We denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms. We are hopeful that anyone seeking a role in governing Syria will demonstrate a commitment to the rights of all Syrians, prevent the collapse of state institutions, work on the recovery and rehabilitation of the country, and ensure the conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria of all those who were forced to flee the country.”
Source – Italian G7 Presidency
Key messages by President von der Leyen at the G7 Leaders’ call of 13th December 2024
On Ukraine:
“No matter what happens next, we do need to preserve key principles. Ukraine must remain an independent state with the right to choose its own future. It is for Ukraine to decide on its territory. These are principles that we have been defending the last three years and it is critical that we keep defending them on the way forward.”
On Syria:
“The transition needs to protect all minorities. And I agree with those who have called for creation of preconditions for a safe and dignified return of refugees. Over 13 years, we have mobilized through the conferences 33.3 billion euros to support Syrians outside but also inside Syria. The conference mechanism could be used in the future to mobilize resources for reconstruction.”
Source – EU Commission