International conference in Vienna: 9-point plan for Syria

ef. On 30 October 2015 a conference on Syria took place in Vienna. Participants were the foreign ministers of 17 countries as well as representatives of the UN and the EU. For the first time also Iran was involved in the international conference on Syria. It was the first time that all important foreign actors in the conflict took a seat at the negotiation table. At the conference key parameters for a peaceful settlement of the Syrian conflict were established. In the joint final declaration it was expressly stated that the Syrian people – and no international actors – should decide on the future of the country. According to the Vienna newspaper “Die Presse” the talks in Vienna will continue on 14 November 2015. Here is the exact wording of the final declaration:
Final declaration on the results of the Syria Talks in Vienna as agreed by participants Meeting in Vienna, on October 30, 2015, China, Egypt, the EU, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the United States [“the participants”] came together to discuss the grave situation in Syria and how to bring about an end to the violence as soon as possible.
The participants had a frank and constructive discussion, covering major issues. While substantial differences remain among the participants, they reached a mutual understanding on the following:

1. Syria’s unity, independence, territorial integrity, and secular character are fundamental.
2. State institutions will remain intact.
3. The rights of all Syrians, regardless of ethnicity or religious denomination, must be protected.
4. Speichern und schließen
5. It is imperative to accelerate all diplomatic efforts to end the war.
6. Humanitarian access will be ensured throughout the territory of Syria, and the participants will increase support for internally displaced persons, refugees, and their host countries.
7. Da’esh, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the U.N. Security Council, and further, as agreed by the participants, must be defeated.
8. Pursuant to the 2012 Geneva Communique and U.N. Security Council Resolution 2118, the participants invited the U.N. to convene representatives of the Government of Syria and the Syrian opposition for a political process leading to credible, inclusive, non-sectarian governance, followed by a new constitution and elections. These elections must be administered under U.N. supervision to the satisfaction of the governance and to the highest international standards of transparency and accountability, free and fair, with all Syrians, including the diaspora, eligible to participate.
9. This political process will be Syrian led and Syrian owned, and the Syrian people will decide the future of Syria.
10. The participants together with the United Nations will explore modalities for, and implementation of, a nationwide ceasefire to be initiated on a date certain and in parallel with this renewed political process.

The participants will spend the coming days working to narrow remaining areas of disagreement, and build on areas of agreement. Ministers will reconvene within two weeks to continue these discussions.

Source: <link http: eeas.europa.eu statements-eeas>eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2015/151030_06.htm