The UN special envoy for Syria pointed out that the failure of the sixth round of constitution talks last week was due to the Assad regime’s refusal to negotiate on revisions. Geir Pedersen further expressed his disappointment to the UN Security Council with regards to the failure of parties to agree on meeting again before the end of the year.
Despite the failure, Pedersen said he remains convinced “that progress on the constitutional committee could help to build some trust and confidence, if done the right way.” The UN special envoy added he will continue to engage with all parties “to address the challenges that have arisen”, as it is urgent to produce results.
“But let me stress that this requires real determination and the political will to try to build some common ground,” he said.
Pedersen said that while the talks were underway, the continuation of terrorist attacks, airstrikes, and heavy artillery shelling reminded “the constant risks of regional escalation.”
The UN road map to peace in Syria aims to facilitate the drafting of a new constitution that ends with UN-supervised elections with all Syrians, in addition to a nationwide ceasefire.
