In Vienna on 25 and 26 January 2018 I engaged in consultations in a special round 9 meeting with the delegations of the Government of Syria and the Syrian Negotiations Commission within the framework of the UN-facilitated political process on Syria.
In accordance with the invitation, I focused on the constitutional basket of the agenda of the intra-Syrian talks towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), and bearing in mind the parameters and observations laid out in my briefing to the Security Council on 19 December 2017.
While in Vienna, I also took the opportunity to consult delegations of a number of countries. The Secretary-General also followed the deliberations closely and held high-level consultations.
I recalled that the objective of the political process is the full and complete implementation of resolution 2254 negotiated in the Geneva intra-Syrian talks process under the auspices of the United Nations as mandated by the Security Council. All reaffirmed their commitment to respecting my mandate in that regard and to the Geneva political process facilitated by the United Nations.
Recalling that the only sustainable solution to the current crisis in Syria is through an inclusive and Syrian-led political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people, and also bearing in mind that the schedule and process for drafting of new constitution is to be set in the Geneva process in accordance with resolution 2254, I assess that it is understood that any Constitutional Committee would at the very least comprise Government, Opposition representatives in the intra-Syrian talks, Syrian experts, civil society, independents, tribal leaders and women; that care would be taken to ensure adequate representation of Syria's ethnic and religious components; and that final agreement is to be reached in the UN-led Geneva process on the mandate and terms of reference, powers, rules of procedure, and selection criteria for the composition of a Constitutional Committee.
I was briefed on preparations for the Congress of the Syrian National Dialogue in Sochi on 29 and 30 January. I took note of the statement by the Russian Federation that the outcome of the Congress would be brought to Geneva as a contribution to the intra-Syrian talks process under the auspices of the United Nations in accordance with resolution 2254. I will fully brief the Secretary-General on the outcome of the Vienna meeting - it is up to him to decide what will be the response of the United Nations to the invitation to go to Sochi.
I will continue to discharge my exclusive mandate to convene formal negotiations and facilitate a Syrian-led political process to bring about the full implementation of the Geneva Communiqué and resolution 2254, and I affirm the four baskets of the agenda and the particular focus to be paid to baskets 2 and 3.
I recall that a secure, calm and neutral environment is needed and that the ultimate goal of a constitutional process is to enable the Syrian people to freely and independently determine their own future in UN-supervised parliamentary and presidential elections meeting the requirements laid out in resolution 2254.
I am gravely concerned at the situation on the ground in all its dimensions -- political, security, humanitarian and human rights. It is vital to end all violence and restore full respect for Syria sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence and for the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people through a Syrian-led and owned process facilitated by the UN. I particularly call for unhindered humanitarian access and progress on detainees, abductees, and missing persons.
I share the immense frustration of millions of Syrians, inside and outside the country, at the lack of a political settlement to date. I hope that the forthcoming Congress of the Syrian National Dialogue in Sochi will contribute to a revived and credible intra-Syrian talks process under the United Nations in Geneva in accordance with resolution 2254, which I intend to reconvene in the near future.
Ultimately, what is required is political will. It is high time that diplomacy, dialogue and negotiation prevail for the interest of all Syrians.
As I said the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has been briefed and will be briefed on the outcome of these Vienna discussions. Then it will be up to him to take the decision on the UN response to the invitation to attend Sochi.
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Today, Friday, 26 January, a Syrian delegation invited to participate in a special round nine meeting in the framework of the intra-Syrian talks under the aegis of the United Nations will be coming to the Vienna International Centre, United Nations in Vienna at around 2 p.m. for bilateral talks with the Special Envoy.
Media who are accredited are welcome to cover the event from the media zone in the parking deck in C-1.
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Today, Friday, 26 January, a Syrian delegation invited to participate in a special round nine meeting in the framework of the intra-Syrian talks under the aegis of the United Nations will be coming to the Vienna International Centre, United Nations in Vienna at around 10.30 a.m. for bilateral talks with the Special Envoy.
Media who are accredited are welcome to cover the event from the media zone in the parking deck in C-1.
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Today, Thursday, 25 January, a Syrian delegation invited to participate in the Special Meeting on Syria in Vienna in the framework of the intra-Syrian talks under the aegis of the United Nations will be coming to the Vienna International Centre, United Nations in Vienna at around 4 p.m. for bilateral talks with the Special Envoy.
Media who are accredited are welcome to cover the event from the media zone in the parking deck in C-1.
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Today, Thursday, 25 January, a Syrian delegation invited to participate in the Special Meeting on Syria in Vienna in the framework of the intra-Syrian talks under the aegis of the United Nations will be coming to the Vienna International Centre, United Nations in Vienna at around 11.30a.m. for bilateral talks with the Special Envoy.
Media who are accredited are welcome to cover the event from the media zone in the parking deck in C-1.
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VIENNA, 25 January (UN Information Service) - In the framework of the United Nations-facilitated Geneva political process, Syrian invitees will be attending a special meeting at the Vienna International Centre on 25 and 26 January 2018.
Details of any planned media activities including press conferences will be announced as soon as possible. Any press conferences can be viewed on webtv.un.org. All accredited journalists will be informed by email.
Media badges
Media representatives, who wish to cover the event, should write to press[at]unvienna.org.
Journalists who are accredited to cover the talks can pick up their media badges from the Security Pass Office at Gate 1 of the Vienna International Centre. The Pass Office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please bring a valid photo ID when picking up your media badge.
Note: Journalists carrying permanent UN Vienna accreditation can use their badges to access media activities at the Vienna International Centre. If you wish to be kept informed of press events around the talks please register by writing to press[at]unvienna.org
All journalists can enter the Vienna International Centre through Gate 1 only.
Media Centre (Press Room in M-Building)
The Press Room on the ground floor of the M-Building is reserved as a media centre for journalists needing a place to work. The Press Room will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday. On Friday the room will be open from 8 a.m. as long as necessary.
Arrivals of delegations
Arrivals for the talks will happen at the C-Building (Floor -1). More details will be provided as soon as possible.
Further information
Further information about the Special Meeting on Syria in Vienna is available here: www.unvienna.org/syria
More information about the Syrian peace process is available here: https://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/(httpPages)/4d6470dbeaf92917c1257e59004fac2d?OpenDocument
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(scroll down for Arabic version)
The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, today sent separate invitations to the Syrian Government and the Syrian Negotiation Commission to a special meeting with the United Nations in the framework of the United Nations-facilitated Geneva political process on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 January 2018. Owing to logistical reasons, this special meeting will be held on the premises of the United Nations at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria.
The Special Envoy looks forward to the participation of both delegations in this special meeting. He expects that delegations will be coming to Vienna prepared for substantive engagement with him and his team with a specific focus on the constitutional basket of the agenda towards the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), and bearing in mind the parameters and observations he laid out in his briefing to the Security Council on 19 December 2017. As he prepares for the session in Vienna, the Special Envoy reiterates the view of the United Nations that any political initiative by international actors should be assessed by its ability to contribute to and support the United Nations-facilitated Geneva political process and the full implementation of resolution 2254 (2015).
Geneva, 17 January 2018
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بعث المبعوث الخاص للأمم المتحدة إلى سوريا، ستيفان دي ميستورا٬ اليوم٬ دعوات منفصلة إلى كل من الحكومة السورية ولجنة التفاوض السورية لحضور اجتماع خاص مع الأمم المتحدة في إطار العملية السياسية في جنيف التي تعقد تحت رعاية الأمم المتحدة، وذلك يومي الخميس 25 والجمعة 26 كانون الثاني / يناير 2018. ونظرا لأسباب لوجستية، سيعقد هذا الاجتماع الخاص بمقر الأمم المتحدة في مركزفيينا الدولي في فيينا، بالنمسا.
ويتطلع المبعوث الخاص إلى مشاركة الوفدين في هذا الاجتماع الخاص. كما يتطلع إلى مجيئ الوفود إلى فيينا مستعدة للإنخراط الجدي معه ومع فريقه وذلك مع التركيز بوجه خاص على السلة الدستورية بجدول الأعمال من أجل التنفيذ الكامل لقرار مجلس الأمن رقم 2254 (2015)، وأخذاً بعين الإعتبار للمعايير والملاحظات التي عرضها في إحاطته لمجلس الأمن في 19 كانون الأول / ديسمبر 2017. وفي الوقت الذي يحضِّر فيه لجولة فيينا٬ يؤكد المبعوث الخاص مجدّداً رؤية الأمم المتحدة بضرورة تقييم أية مبادرة سياسية يقوم بها الفاعلون الدوليون على أساس قدرتها على الإسهام في٬ ودعم عملية جنيف السياسية التي ترعاها الأمم المتحدة وفى التنفيذ الكامل للقرار ٢٢٥٤ (٢٠١٥)
جنيف، 17 كانون الثاني / يناير 2018
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