Mikdad: Second round of Geneva talks made no progress

Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister, Member of Syria’s official delegation to Geneva conference Fayssal Mikdad said “We are deeply regretful that this round of talks didn’t achieve any progress.”

Mikdad, during a press conference at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva , added that the official delegation came to Geneva to implement the Syrian stance to reach a political solution to crisis in Syria.

“We came to Geneva to solve the Syrian crisis politically but the other party came with Western agendas of only one focus, which is to establish a transitional governing body,” Mikdad said.

He stressed “his government is ready to discuss the issue of transitional government only after the counter-terrorism file is taken care of.”

He affirmed that the other side doesn’t want to talk except about the item of transitional government, while we are ready to discuss everything and assert on discussing the item of ending violence and combating terrorism, and “when we reach an agreement on this point, we are ready to discuss the transitional government.”

“We do not accept the other side dealing with what the Syrians are passing through with luxury, while what we are coming from is the suffering of our people due to terrorists killing them on a daily basis.”

“What we should discuss first is terrorism before moving to anything else”, Mikdad said.

”We have deep-rooted relations with Russia and we are in continuous consultations. We and Russians are in agreement about making Geneva conference a success on the basis of Geneva communiqué,” Mikdad affirmed.

Mikdad said Russia does not exercise pressure on the Syrian delegation in Geneva in the manner of other countries ”who know nothing but to exercise pressure.”

In reply to SANA question on the Russian and US plans to push Geneva talks ahead, Mikdad said that the conference sponsors ”are sitting together and discussing the way to help.”

Talk of a US request for a meeting that comprises Russia, the US, the Syrian official delegation, the Coalition’s delegation and Brahimi ”contravenes the text and spirit of Geneva communiqué” that states, he said, that the talks must be between the Syrian sides only, attended by the UN envoy.

He highlighted the double standards in dealing with terrorism as ”when it hits a country in western Europe or the US, it is called terrorism, but when thousands of Syrians are killed or when it hits an underdeveloped country, then it is not terrorism.”

Mikdad said the Syrian delegation will return to Syria with a message to the Syrian people that ”We came to Geneva with a genuine desire to stop killing and terrorism and discuss all other topics listed on the agenda.”

”We will say to the Syrian people that the other side declines to acknowledge that there is terrorism, car bombs or terrorist groups,” he added.

Mikdad described the statements of the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs on the humanitarian situation in Syria as unacceptable.

“Mrs Amos, in many of her statements does not recognize that there is terrorism in Syria and there are terrorist organizations which are hindering the movement of goods and humanitarian assistance to many parts of Syria in addition to ignoring very important places where the assistance should go.”

“While we have done our best and will continue to do our best, I think some of her statements were absolutely unacceptable.”

Mikdad affirmed that ”we will not allow any aggression against Syria’s sovereignty and borders.”

Mikdad said that Israel has “an interest in everything that has been happening in Syria since day one and up until this moment,” indicating that the Israeli logistical and military support for terrorists proves Israel’s involvement.

Mikdad saluted the people of the occupied Syrian Golan on the 32nd anniversary of their uprising against the Israeli entity, saying ”We want to say to you that you are in our conscience. I affirm that you will be back to the homeland.”

”We salute our steadfast people in the occupied Golan who still reject Israeli occupation of the Syrian and Arab lands and remain committed to their Syrian identity despite Israeli persecution,” Mikdad said.