Statement

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December 11, 2015 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement welcoming the consensus reached by Syrian opposition groups at the Riyadh conference on the core principles for a future Syria and on how to advance a political settlement to end the violence in Syria:

“Canada commends Saudi Arabia’s leadership in convening this broad and representative group of 116 participants from among the Syrian opposition who—despite their major differences—yesterday agreed upon the structure of the negotiating delegation that will represent them in the anticipated UN-led peace talks. This is an important step in laying the groundwork for a process that we hope will bring an end to the suffering of the Syrian people.

“We recognize that this is just the beginning and that the road ahead won’t be easy.

“We are pleased with the progress made by the International Syria Support Group as it continues to lay the groundwork for negotiations, in accordance with the 2012 Geneva Communiqué, scheduled to take place in January under UN auspices.”