Swiss foreign minister meets UN special envoy to discuss Syria
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has called for a de-escalation in the violence in Syria and a political solution to resolve the nine-year-old conflict, following talks with the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/sb
العربية
ar
دعم سويسري لاجتماع اللجنة الدستورية الخاصة بسوريا في جنيف
The Swiss minister met Pedersen in the Swiss capital, Bern, on Monday to discuss the violence in north-eastern Syria and the upcoming first meeting of the Syrian Constitutional Committee in Geneva on October 30.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump abruptly decided to pull 1,000 US troops from northeast Syria, clearing the way for Turkey to move in on Kurdish-controlled territory.
Trump’s decision allowed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to launch an offensive into the region aimed at creating a 20 mile (32 km) “safe zone” clear of the Kurdish YPG militia. The Kurdish fighters had been Washington’s main ally in the region but the Turkish government regards them as a terrorist group.
The Kurds pivoted quickly, allying themselves with Syria to try to hold off the Turkish onslaught.
A five-day US-brokered pause in Turkey’s military operation in northeast Syria is due to expire on Tuesday evening.
Cassis described the events in north-eastern Syria as a “violation of international law”.
“We hope that the latest ceasefire will be respected and taken as an opportunity to negotiate a de-escalation and political solution,” said the minister.
Putin-Erdogan meeting
Meanwhile, Erdogan is making an official visit to Moscow on Tuesday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. They are expected to discuss the YPG withdrawal from the rest of the border and how the Syrian constitutional committee can make concrete progress.
Pedersen said the establishment of a Syrian constitutional committee announced by UN Secretary General Guterres at the UN General Assembly last month could be a “door opener” to a political solution.
The constitutional committee will be composed of 150 Syrian delegates and is set to hold its first meeting in the western Swiss city next week. It is tasked with drafting a new constitution for Syria. As host state, Switzerland has promised to lend it its full support to the committee’s work and to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.
More
More
Public protests continue in Swiss cities against Turkey
This content was published on
Several hundred people have again marched in Swiss cities to protest against Turkey’s military offensive against Kurdish regions in Syria.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
Majority of young Swiss well-trained, army fitness test reveals
This content was published on
More than half of young Swiss men and women are considered well-trained, with around 80% meeting the federal government's exercise recommendations, according to the Armed Forces 2023 fitness test.
Italian consulate to relocate to ‘Casa d’Italia’ in Zurich
This content was published on
The Italian state is renovating the "Casa d'Italia" in Zurich's Kreis 4 district, with plans to move the Consulate General from its current location on Tödistrasse in District 2 to this historic building.
Swiss companies maintain financial stability amid European struggles
This content was published on
Swiss companies continue to demonstrate financial robustness compared to their European counterparts, although corporate restructuring activities have increased in recent months.
This content was published on
Unknown assailants detonated an ATM in canton Vaud early Sunday morning, causing extensive damage to the building. The perpetrators fled the scene and remain at large.
Kudelski Group to sell Skidata division to Assa Abloy
This content was published on
The Kudelski Group is selling its Skidata division to the Swedish manufacturer of locking and security systems Assa Abloy.
Tragic weekend in Swiss waters: three bodies recovered
This content was published on
Swiss authorities recovered three bodies from local waters over the weekend, with one incident occurring in Zurich and two in Zug.
Lake Parade in Geneva attracts over 100,000 people
This content was published on
The 22nd Lake Parade and the Lake Sensation in Geneva attracted over 100,000 people in summery weather on Saturday. There were no major incidents at either event.
Graubünden storm causes significant economic damage, prompting support measures
This content was published on
The recent storm in Misox, in canton Graubünden, has resulted in severe economic damage, affecting SMEs, tourism, and agricultural land.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Public protests continue in Swiss cities against Turkey
This content was published on
Several hundred people have again marched in Swiss cities to protest against Turkey’s military offensive against Kurdish regions in Syria.
Swiss government calls on Turkey to cease fire in Syria
This content was published on
The Swiss government has called for Turkey to implement an immediate ceasefire in Syria. It is also taking steps to facilitate humanitarian aid.
Thousands in Zurich protest Turkey’s Syria offensive
This content was published on
Several thousand Kurds and sympathisers demonstrated on Saturday afternoon in Zurich against the Turkish offensive in northern Syria.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.