Syria SE Pedersen stakeout continuity

Yes, Mr Peterson, we're ready for your remarks.

[Other language spoken]

As you know, I just concluded by briefing to the Security Council.

And this, of course, is for all of us a very special day.

It's 10 years since the beginning of the Syrian tragedy.

And as I told the council, the Syrian tragedy will go down in history as one of the darkest chapters.

And I also said that the Syrian people are among the greatest victims in this century.

As you know, the the conflict has not lasted for the same.

As the First World War and the Second World War.

And I said that Syrian people must feel that they are really trapped in an endless conflict.

I, of course have also reflected like many others on where we are after 10 years of conflict and the fact that we haven't been able to mediate an end to this conflict.

And I expressed also to the Security Council, you know, the profound regret of the United Nations that we have not been able to mediate an end to this conflict.

The Syrian people deserves better.

For a decade, the Syrians have suffered what I call imaginable violence and indignities.

And I emphasised that Syrian men and women and children from all areas and all backgrounds have faced these troubling times and that the grievances and the horrors are undeniable.

But let me also emphasise that against this very grim background that I still believe there is a mediated path out of this conflict.

As you know, we are now approaching a year since the beginning of the cessation of hostilities in Northwest Syria and we currently have what I call a relative calm and that relative calm has them losses for close, as I said, to close to a year.

Of course, compared to nearly to any other place on the planet there it has been a tremendously violent.

By any other measure.

And let me also emphasise that of course, while we are pleased that there has been a relative calm, it also remains a great danger that this fragile calm could unravel.

And that is why I have stressed the need for consolidating this calm and move it into a true nationwide ceasefire.

The other danger for Syria, and I also highlighted that in my briefing to the Council, is that we do not see a collapse, but actually a prolonged stasis sets in and that the Syrian people is in the in the risk of enduring another decade of desperation, despondency and despair.

We all know that there is no military solution to this conflict and I believe also know that key interlocutors do understand that no one actor or group of actors can impose their will on Syria or settle the conflict alone.

So there is a way forward, but we need to find a way around the what I call the You First syndrome that has dominated much of the diplomacy around Syria for the last decade.

Right now there are what I call demands on all side, but little movement on any side and this dynamic has to change.

What is needed is to identify with realism and precision and implement in parallel mutual and reciprocal steps for steps, step by step, from Syrian and international players.

All players, including the Syrian government and opposition and key international players, will need to be ready to identify not only what they realistically hope to achieve, but what they can put on the table.

I believe that we need to continue quite diplomacy in this regard.

And ultimately we should try also to put in place a new international format as a forum for necessary discussions and cooperation.

And let me conclude by saying that at a time when there are so many pressing junctures, we must not lose sight of the fundamental importance of a peaceful resolution of the Syrian conflict.

[Other language spoken]

My name is Catherine.

I'm correspondent for France Vancat.

Thank you for briefing us today.

You just mentioned that there is a relative calm and don't you think that that relative calm is dangerous because it will help international community for getting that Resolution 2254 is not implemented yet.

And could you please brief us about your consultations with the key international players?

[Other language spoken]

No, I, I tried to get the message across that as I said that this is a very fragile calm.

And as we know from other instances in, in recent time and history, you know, mistakes to happen when you have, you know, you have Turkish forces, you have the Syrian Army.

And we know that there is a Russian and Iranian presence.

And I also, we know that in other areas, of course, there are the United States and we have the Israelis.

So this relative calm is extremely fragile and it could collapse if you don't know, use this opportunity that this calm has created to focus on the political process.

So it it is, it would be to fool oneself if one believe that the current status quo could keep the calm forever in Syria.

So that's why I outline also these other ways that I think we need to do diplomacy.

You alluded to my visit to Sochi, to Moscow, Damascus and Istanbul.

And let me say that all the elements that I mentioned in my briefing to the Security Council was discussed during these during my visits to these places.

I have of course, also been in touch with others virtually.

And we are, as I also have emphasised to others, I'm hoping that it will be possible then during the next few weeks and months to bring this process forward again.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you so much, Mr Peterson.

Edith Lederer from The Associated Press.

You've said that support of key international players is critical for any movement.

And you said, and I quote in time, we may need to try to put in place a new means of international discussion, a new international format for the necessary diplomacy and cooperation.

Are you talking about something like the old International Serious Support Group or one of its predecessors?

What What were you thinking of?

Great to hear your voice again, Eddie, and I hope you're doing fine.

No, I, I have not concluded what I think is necessary, but what I've said is that it is important that we establish this new international format in a manner where we bring in all the different parties that have an influence on these conflict.

So obviously it would have to involve, you know, one way or another, the United States, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Arab States and the European Union.

And I also earlier mentioned, you know, all permanent members of the Security Council.

But as you know, it's still early days for the BIND memorisation.

And if we need also a more in depth discussion with the BIND memorisation and then with the other interlocutors that I just mentioned to you now.

But I think the the key for me is that it is not necessary for all these actors too seriously sit down and develop a Syrian policy based on the understanding that none of them can dictate the outcome of the Syrian conflict.

[Other language spoken]

Have time for two more questions, Byram.

I'll take yours next, please.

Thank you, Jennifer for taking my question.

This is Byram Alto Anadri, this is UN Geneva reporter.

[Other language spoken]

As you know, Turkey continues to host the largest number of refugees worldwide with over 3.6 million Syrian refugees alone.

However, Turkish, However, the Turkish government has consistently stated that does not receive sufficient financial support for refugees that host especially from European Union.

So really have a call or message to the international community and especially the European Union on this matter.

[Other language spoken]

Listen, I, I think we all appreciate and understand the importance of Turkey when it comes to hosting Syrian refugees.

And I know that the UN family has expressed its appreciation to Turkey for what it's doing.

And I also believe that a huge amount of the humanitarian assistance going to, to, to Syrian refugees actually goes to, to Turkey.

But I'm sure there are issues that could be discussed on this.

And as you know, there is a conference in Brussels by the end of this month where the humanitarian assistance to Syria will be discussed.

And I'm sure also then it's assistance to refugees in, in, in Turkey.

[Other language spoken]

Hi, Special Envoy, Thank you.

Thank you for your briefing.

Several Arab countries that were previously opposed to President Assad and to his regime seem to be changing their tune and talking about normalising relations with him.

Will that hurt the leverage that you have?

Is it too soon, perhaps, to let Syria back into the Arab family fold?

Obviously, this is a discussion that Syria will have to have with the members of the Arab League.

I have had the discussions with my Arab friends and and colleagues, and I have also seen the newspaper and news reports that you just mentioned.

But in my latest round in Cairo, when I discussed this with the Secretary General of the Arab League, he emphasised that this was indeed a cumbersome and difficult process and that was something that we would continue to discuss and see how it developed.

In the end, this is obviously a decision that has to be made by the Arab League itself in dialogue with with Damascus.

[Other language spoken]

Thank you all for joining us.

Apologies that we weren't able to get to all your questions.

We'll try to update you again soon.

[Other language spoken]