Today is a day of renewed hope: the opening ceremony of the Constitutional Committee, established in the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 to discuss a future constitutional framework for Syria, took place in Geneva. 

This is an important and long-awaited moment, a result of the first agreement between the Syrian parties since the adoption of the Resolution in 2015. It is now crucial that the Committee starts serious discussions in good faith and delivers an outcome in the interest of the entire country and all its people. In that sense it must remain a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led process.

The Constitutional Committee alone will not resolve the Syrian conflict. Tangible and irreversible steps on all aspects of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, under the ægis of the UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, are needed and will be key to unlocking the only viable solution - a political solution. 

The European Union continues to support the work of the Special Envoy and is ready to accompany the developing peace process in Syria in whatever way it can, in close conjunction and coordination with the UN, to help ensuring a brighter future all Syrians deserve.