Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at the briefing on the situation in the Middle East, Syria

Thank you, Mr. President.

I thank Special Envoy Pedersen and OCHA Acting Under-Secretary-General Msuya for their briefings.

Mr. President,

Against the backdrop of escalating tensions that have engulfed the wider region, progress on a political solution in Syria is urgently needed. We have said it before, but it is worth repeating. Syria is not immune to the spill-over effects of regional escalations, in particular the war in Gaza which has had a direct impact on Syria. Continued violence in different parts of the country, the spikes in hostilities, and the resurgence of Daesh continue to kill, injure, and displace Syrians. The situation is far from sustainable. De-escalation and a nationwide ceasefire in Syria in line with UN Security Council resolution 2254 is needed more than ever.  

In my intervention, I will focus on three points.

Firstly, the situation is becoming more dangerous and unpredictable with each passing day. We call on Syrian parties to find a way to inclusive dialogue and substantive engagement with the Special Envoy. We also call on key international actors, including the Arab Contact Group and the participants in the Astana process, to resume dialogue and to cooperate with the Special Envoy within the parameters of Security Council resolution 2254, in order to find a lasting political solution in Syria. Renewed dialogue between all Syrians and international parties and the UN should make it possible to identify the common ground needed to break the deadlock in this process.

Secondly, millions of Syrians continue to live in a climate of fear. They have been and they still are fleeing the country, whether due to the violent conflict, oppression, economic crisis, persistent human rights violations and abuses or the desperate humanitarian situations. They have been doing so for over thirteen years. Every instance of instability or escalation threatens their lives, undermines their livelihoods and further diminishes their access to food, water and healthcare, as we have seen now happening in Deir-ez-Zor. Allowing humanitarian access through all available crossings is critically important. We take note of the authorization for the continued use of the Bab al-Salam and al-Rai crossing points and call for the opening of the crossings along the Euphrates River as soon as possible. Syrian refugees abroad are increasingly caught between pressures and resentment in host countries, and lack of confidence that their protection and livelihood will be sufficiently addressed in case of returning to Syria. We reiterate that conditions for safe, dignified and voluntary return of Syrian refugees are not met yet. The dignity and wellbeing of Syrian refugees must be protected wherever they are.

Thirdly, there cannot be lasting peace without accountability. Over the past 13 years, impunity and lawlessness have shaped a grim reality for Syrians, with no end in sight. Slovenia reiterates its call on the Government of Syria to ensure compliance with the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice. Slovenia will continue to support efforts to gather and preserve evidence, including by the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria and the work of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria. We reiterate our call on all parties to take every measure to protect civilians, civilian infrastructure, and humanitarian operations, in accordance with International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, we reiterate our full support to Special Envoy’s efforts, and we call on parties to cooperate fully towards delivering a lasting political settlement in Syria for the sake of Syrian people and their future.

I thank you.

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