Geir Pedersen: The Syrian crisis is first and foremost

ARK News… The UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, said that my job is to remind the international community that Syria is in an ongoing crisis, noting that the Syrian crisis is first and foremost a crisis of epic proportions for the Syrian people, and for neighboring countries that have large numbers of refugees.

In an interview with the American "Al-Monitor" website, Pedersen said that there are absolutely no guarantees in Syria, stressing that "if we do not move towards a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, and if we do not return the political process to the right track, things can be collapse again."

At the meeting of foreign ministers of the "Astana track" countries, which was attended by the UN envoy, Pedersen explained that the ministers wanted to send a message of support for the work I am doing, realizing that the international environment is very difficult, noting that my message is that the situation in Syria is becoming more difficult day by day when it is about economic conditions.

Regarding the Constitutional Committee, Pedersen explained that he had informed the “Astana Trio” that he would continue to work on the Constitutional Committee, but frankly the committee did not provide what we expected from it, and what it should have provided, noting that the recent rounds were a disappointment, and we know that we have a problem in place. The Russians and the government of the Syrian regime do not want to come to Geneva.

Regarding the "step-for-step" initiative, Pedersen said I would not say that a ceasefire in Syria is a prerequisite for moving forward with the step-by-step initiative, but I think the idea behind the initiative is to try to create understanding between the main actors, and that it is possible to move forward. without threatening the fundamental interest of any of the parties.

"We have to do this by defining very precisely what we have agreed upon before taking any action," he stressed.

The UN envoy indicated that we have developed some good ideas, but discussions are still ongoing with the regime, the opposition, and the international community on this issue, pointing out that there may be other ways to move forward, but so far there are no other proposals on the table.

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