Mr President,
First of all, I would like to thank the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, Mr. Geir Pedersen, whose work over the years is to be commended, and whom we thank for his proposals today. I would also like to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mr. Tom Fletcher, who reminds us of the humanitarian emergency and the need to respond to it, as well as Ms. Majd Chourbaji, an important voice of the new Syrian civil society. I also would like to extend a very warm welcome to the new Representative of Syria in New York and I welcome the presence of the representatives of Iraq, Iran and Turkey.
Mr. President,
Syria is experiencing a historic moment, and the challenge for this Council is very simple: how can we help? How can we mobilise around Syria as it is trying to emerge from a long and terrible period of civil war and an even longer period of tyranny? For the reconstruction of a reconciled Syria in the service of peace in the region, the entire international community must provide all the necessary support. That is our responsibility.
This challenge has three main dimensions.
1/ First of all, given the security situation in Syria, it is crucial to maintain efforts, together with Syria, to restore civil peace and protect all Syrians, without distinction.
The violence of recent months has shown the extent of the threats to the restoration of unity in peace and among all components of Syrian society. This requires political will on the part of the authorities in Damascus, a firm attitude towards troublemakers, as well as openness and political inclusivity. It requires a spirit of justice: the report of the United Nations Independent Commission of Inquiry on the violence in the coastal area must be the basis for reparations measures. It requires consistency, so that transitional justice can gradually help to heal the wounds of the past.
France very warmly welcomes the roadmap agreed by Syria, Jordan and the United States in order to resolve the crisis in the governorate of Suwayda. This roadmap is a first step towards a sustainable de-escalation that we hope will be a lasting one. We support its rapid implementation on the ground.
A united and stable Syria also requires the eradication of the terrorist threat. We call up on the Syrian authorities to intensify the fight against any resurgence of terrorist movements and to rid Syria of this scourge that is disfiguring it.
2/ The second dimension is humanitarian and economic. To meet the immense needs of the Syrian population, it is also our responsibility to provide massive humanitarian aid and support economic recovery.
After decades of sufferings and destruction, Syria is, as we have heard today, in severe economic distress. The suffering has been exacerbated by the worst drought the country has experienced in nearly 40 years. In the face of this critical situation, it is our collective responsibility to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid throughout the country. We have heard the Under-Secretary-General speak on this matter. We also commend the essential work of OCHA and humanitarian personnel in the wake of the violence in Suwayda.
We must also work with UNHCR and our partners to establish a regional framework that allow Syria’s talents and vital forces to return to the country and help build the Syria of tomorrow. The return of refugees from neighbouring countries in particular has to be ensured, for the refugees themselves, for the reconstruction of Syria, and for the stability of its neighbours.
Beyond that, the Syrian population have all the talents needed to rebuild and revive a dynamic economy capable of making Syria a hub of prosperity and innovation that shines throughout the region. France is giving its full support to mobilise the necessary public and private capital. At the European level, we have also lifted sanctions to facilitate this reconstruction.
3/ Finally, with regard to the political and diplomatic dimension, France, in accordance with the Paris Declaration on Syria, is commited to support a successful Syrian transition and lasting regional stability.
This transition naturally must be led by the Syrian people, in a process where everyone feels that their voice is heard. The parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of September, the first since the fall of the regime, may mark the beginning of a transparent political process. Syria must respect all its communities and faiths – Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds, Druze, Christians and Alawites – and women must actively and equally play a full role in the reconstruction of the new Syria. This diversity has always been the country’s greatest asset.
On 13 February, France hosted an international conference which, together with the Syrians, outlined the principles and objectives of international support for their country. France is committed to this peaceful transition process which will build a new Syria.
At the regional and international level, and it will be my last point, Syria must be fully integrated into its regional environment by building a new relationship with Lebanon based on equality and mutual respect, breaking with decades of toxicity by seeking peace with Israel, Israel which must end its bombing and military activities in the country and withdraw from the Golan Heights, and which must seize the historic opportunity presented by a Syria eager to pacify its relations with its neighbours.
Mr. President,
President Sharaa’s presence in New York next week should be an opportunity for the Secretary-General and the UN to work with him to define the UN’s new presence in the service of unity, sovereignty, peace, reconciliation, democracy and the reconstruction of Syria.
Thank you.