Joint Statement on Syria – United States Department of State

Representatives of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States met at the envoys level in Geneva with UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen on January 24 to discuss the crisis in Syria. 

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We reaffirmed our steadfast support for UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen’s efforts to reach a political solution to the Syrian conflict in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.  We expressed our firm commitment to the implementation of all aspects of UNSCR 2254, including a nation-wide ceasefire, the release of any arbitrarily detained persons, free and fair elections, and the need to build conditions for the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons, consistent with UN standards.  UNSCR 2254 remains the only viable solution to the conflict, and we look forward to working with partners in the region and opposition to engage fully under this framework, including the reciprocal step-for-step process, through the UN Special Envoy to ensure that a durable political solution remains within reach.

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