UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION
Check Against Delivery
Madam President,
At the outset, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr. Geir Pedersen, Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Syria, for his comprehensive briefing and vigorous diplomatic efforts to advance the political process. We also listened carefully to the briefing by Thuraya Hijazi.
Madam President,
More than a decade has passed since the beginning of the Syrian crisis. The UAE firmly believes that the international community must develop a new approach to dealing with the Syrian crisis to end it peacefully and sustainably.
To this end, my country would like to focus on the following points:
First the UAE believes that opening channels of communication and building bridges is the most successful means to solving protracted crises in a way that alleviate s suffering and achieves stability. The recent visit to Damascus of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was part of my country’s bridge building endeavors in the region. We believe that dialogue, constructive engagement and support of political efforts will contribute to ending the Syrian crisis. As such, the visit aimed to shift the general perception on the ground towards resolving this proacted crisis. Accordingly we believe it’s important to strengthen the Arab role in a way that supports and is consistent with the diplomatic efforts of Mr. Geir Pedersen. This will contribute to progress on the political track with the aim to end the crisis and restore security and stability to Syria and the region.
Second, we agree with the Special Envoy’s emphasis on creating opportunities for gradual and tangible steps which requires a collective effort to support and reinvigorate the Constitutional Committee. Accordingly, the UAE supports current efforts to strengthen dialogue and overcome obstacles for an agreement on constitutional principles. In this context the flexibility and pragmatism that the Special Envoy urged after his consultations with Syrian, regional and international actors is critical. The UAE emphasizes that a political solution is the only way to end the crisis in Syria. We also stress that achieving genuine progress towards that solution requires all parties to make necessary concessions in good faith and to pursue confidence building measures in line with Council resolution 2254.
Third, creating an environment conducive to peace and stability in Syria requires ending foreign interference in Syrian affairs. We affirm here the importance of preserving the unity independence, and territorial integrity of Syria. The UAE also supports the call of the UN Secretary General and the Special Envoy for Syria to reach an immediate and sustainable nationwide ceasefire.
Nonetheless, counter terrorism efforts in Syria must continue considering that the persistence of terrorist activities is one of the most destabilizing factors in Syria and the region. In this regard it is alarming that terrorist organizations such as Da’esh continue to launch terrorist attacks including the dangerous developments in the Al Ghuwayran Neighborhood in Al Hasakah in recent days as well as the continued targeting of areas of Deir Ezzor and eastern Homs.
Finally, Madam President, we hope that the year 2022 will be the year that the international community exerts all necessary efforts to achieve tangible progress towards ending the Syrian crisis. The UAE sincerely wishes such efforts will meet the aspirations of the Syrian people providing them with a decent living in a safe and stable homeland. I wish to affirm the commitment of the UAE to work with all colleagues in the Council for such goals to be achieved.
I thank you.