The Syrian opposition must sit at the negotiating table

(BRUSSELS2 to Luxembourg). The announcement of the Syrian National Council not to participate in the Geneva 2 peace conference does not really delight the foreign ministers of the "28". We can even say that it preoccupies them. Gathered in Luxembourg on Monday (October 21), they spared no effort, asking in all tones "the National Coalition of the Syrian Revolution and (the) opposition forces (to) play a leading role in the negotiations (...) and to actively participate in the conference » (as the conclusions remind).

« It must be clear that we are expecting them at the Geneva peace conference. insists the British William Hague. " I hope this will be an important part of the political process in Syria ". " Concrete progress is needed » and avoid that there is a « empty chair added Austrian Minister Michael Spindelegger. For the Swedish Carl Bildt, "thehe European effort is important in the face of the massive influx of refugees and also in the fight against mass arms, but none of this is going to help here. The Geneva conference is the only solution ».

Scheduled for November 23, the process is still long before the so-called Geneva II conference. The Europeans therefore want to spare no effort to help create the conditions making it possible to hold it. A meeting is scheduled for London on Tuesday (October 22), bringing together "Syria-friendly" countries and the Syrian opposition.