After eight years of conflict, the announcement made by the UN Secretary General on an agreement on the formation of the Constitutional Committee in the framework of UNSCR 2254 and the Geneva process is a long awaited welcome news that gives back hope to the Syrians.

The EU has consistently affirmed that any sustainable solution to the conflict requires a genuine political transition in line with UNSCR 2254 and the 2012 Geneva Communique, negotiated by the Syrian parties within the UN led Geneva process. The UN Special Envoy has the full support of the European Union in his continued efforts.

We look forward to the inaugural meeting of the Constitutional Committee at the earliest possible opportunity and expect that this should represent the start of a process ultimately leading to peace that Syrians so clearly need and deserve.