Federica Mogherini meets with the Syrian opposition leaders

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini meets with the Syrian opposition leaders

The HR/VP Federica Mogherini met today the deputy High Negotiating Committee (HNC) general coordinator Yahia Kadmani, with the leaders of the HNC’s two main political coalitions - President of the National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces (SOC) Anas al-Abdah and the General Coordinator of the National Coordination Body (NCB) Hassan Abdulazim - and their delegations.

The HR/VP and the Syrian opposition leaders had a long exchange on the possible political and institutional future of Syria, on post-conflict, reconciliation and on reconstruction, as part of the outreach Mogherini is conducting in the region in full coordination with the United Nation's Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura.

The HR/VP and the leaders of the Syrian opposition also discussed the most recent developments in the Syrian crisis. They agreed it is urgent to end the fighting and engage in political talks focussed on a genuine political transition based on relevant UNSC Resolutions.

They discussed the dire humanitarian situation and ongoing efforts to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to, and medical evacuations out of, Eastern Aleppo as well as to other besieged areas, as outlined in the EU humanitarian initiative. They agreed on the need for all parties to ensure full access to all those in need and to end all obstruction to the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The HR/VP will continue her outreach on the post conflict set up in Syria tomorrow with her visit to the United Arab Emirates, on the occasion of the 7th annual Sir Bani Yas Forum hosted by the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs. The HR/VP will have bilateral meetings, including with UAE Foreign Minister H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the UAE Federal National Council Speaker Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, and she will meet other key actors of the region.