Security Council Press Statement on Syria

On 8 March 2017, the members of the Security Council were briefed by the
Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, and
reiterated their support for his leadership of the United Nations efforts to
facilitate the lasting political settlement of the Syrian crisis through an
inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate
aspirations of the Syrian people.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to

the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the Syrian
Arab Republic, and reiterated that the only sustainable solution to the
current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process
based on the Geneva Communiqu of 30 June 2012, as endorsed by the
Security Council resolution 2118 (2013), the Security Council
resolutions 2254 (2015), 2268 (2016) and 2336 (2016), and relevant
statements of the International Syria Support Group.

The members of the Security Council welcomed the conclusion of a further

round of United Nations-facilitated intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva on 3
March 2017. They further welcomed the announcement by Special Envoy de
Mistura of a clear agenda for future negotiations as indicated by Resolution
2254, focusing on governance; constitutional issues; elections; and counter
terrorism, security and confidence building measures.

The members of the Security Council reiterate their commitment to ensuring

the inclusion of Syrian women in the political process through sustained
consultation and dialogue and promoting their full and effective participation.

The members of the Security Council recognised that the continuation of

political negotiations was made possible by the ceasefire developed through
the Astana process.

The members of the Security Council called on the Syrian parties to fully
implement the ceasefire, established pursuant to the arrangements of
29 December 2016, noted by UN Security Council resolution 2336, including
ending ceasefire violations and ensuring humanitarian access.

The members of the Council also encouraged the International Syria Support
Group members to use their influence over the parties to help end violations,
reduce violence, build confidence and ensure safe, sustained and unhindered
humanitarian access in line with UN Security Council resolution 2165 (2014).

The Members of the Security Council looked forward to the early resumption
of the intra-Syrian negotiations and encouraged the Syrian parties to return
to talks in good faith and to engage constructively and without preconditions
on the agenda set out by the UN Special Envoy when talks resume.