Syrian Coalition Briefs the EU on the Need to Change the Dynamics in Syria

Press Release

Syrian Coalition

April 27, 2015

Today, the Syrian National Coalition’s Representative to the Benelux and the EU, Mouaffaq Nyrabia, briefed EU experts of the European Council’s ‘Mashreq & Maghreb’ group on the situation in Syria.

Mouaffaq Nyrabia thanked European partners for their leading humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people and welcomed recent EU statements reaffirming that Assad cannot be a part of a future Syria. During the dialogue with the EU partners, Mr Nyrabia set out the Coalition’s efforts on making real a political solution to the conflict, including progress on engaging with other opposition groups and delivery of much needed assistance on the ground, including in Idlib and beyond.

After the briefing Mr Nyrabia said:

“I welcome the EU’s commitment to a political transition towards a future without Assad. However, as the conflict enters its fifth year, we are no closer to this, and Assad continues to undermine international attempts to foster a political solution. As a result, the situation in Syria is now a global crisis which poses a clear and immediate threat to international security. Urgent practical steps are needed to shift the overall dynamics and to give the regime no option except for meaningful discussions at the negotiating table. The only viable means of achieving this shift is by establishing a no-fly zone which will give millions of Syrians the urgent protection they need from daily airstrikes; enable humanitarian access to reach all those living under siege; give some hope to Syrian refugees to return to their homes and create the conditions for a truly viable political solution.”