Geneva conference on Syria set for January, Ban Ki-moon announces

News / 26.11.13

Yesterday – 25 November 2013 – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that he would convene in Geneva on 22 January the long-sought international conference on Syria bringing together the Government and the opposition to a negotiating table for the first time since the conflict started in March 2011.

“This is a mission of hope,” Mr. Ban said addressing journalists at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Mr. Ban called the upcoming conference, known as “Geneva II”, a “vehicle for a peaceful transition” that fulfills the legitimate aspirations of all the Syrian people for freedom and dignity, and which guarantees safety and protection to all communities in Syria.

“I expect all partners and parties to demonstrate their support for constructive negotiations,” Mr. Ban said. “All must show vision and leadership.”

He added that it would be “unforgiveable” not to seize this opportunity and reiterated that the conflict remains “the world’s greatest threat to peace and security” which can only be solved through political means.

This announcement comes after the joint conference by Centre Maurits Coppieters together with the Kurdish Institute of Brussels and Belgian Senator Karl Vanlouwe celebrated last Friday (22 November 2013) in Brussels on the situation of Kurds and the Syrian civil war. On it, the expert in Middle East issues Ludo de Branader demanded the celebration of Geneva II conference, emphasizing its role as the only tool that will “bring a political solution not only on the local level, but also on the international levels, which is on interests of all powers to have a resolution of this conflict”.

 

In that very same framework Senator Karl Vanlouwe did also point out the need of the conference so that “a peaceful situation in Syria” can be achieved, always nevertheless, recognising the Kurdish region and the respect of the Kurdish identity.