EU chief Mogherini heap praises on Syrian civil society

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on Tuesday praised the maturity of Syrian civil society.

Mogherini added that if all parties to the conflict had followed its example, the conflict in the country may have likely been resolved long ago.

Earlier on Tuesday, a two-day conference called “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region” kicked off in the Belgian capital of Brussels.

Talks on Tuesday were primarily held with Syrian non-governmental organisations, while the conference’s second day will be held at ministerial level.

“The Syrian people are people with deep culture and, yes, with a lot maturity in the way in which they address also their own difficulties and differences.

“I wish all parties to the conflict were able to show the same maturity as the civil society in Syria is showing. We would have solved the problem, probably, long ago,’’ Mogherini said.

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Mogherini added that earlier in the day, she and UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan De Mistura held meetings with representatives of Syrian civil society organisations, during which the groups presented their contribution and vision for Wednesday’s ministerial session.

“We underlined that, why it is so important they are here with us, is that Syria is not a chess board; it is not a geopolitical game.

“Syria belongs to the Syrian people and the Syrian people have to decide themselves on what future of their country will be like,’’ Mogherini stressed once again.

Syria has been engulfed in a civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting numerous opposition factions and terrorist groups.

The international community has taken a number of steps aimed at settling the crisis, including through negotiations in Geneva, Astana and Sochi.