Secretary-General Urges Participants in Vienna Talks to Seize Diplomatic Opportunity towards Ending Conflict in Syria

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is encouraged that international stakeholders are reconvening in Vienna today to further their efforts to address the grave situation in Syria and bring about a political settlement to end the violence as soon as possible.

In follow-up to the last meeting, the Secretary-General has instructed the United Nations Secretariat to accelerate planning on modalities for supporting the implementation of a political process and of a nationwide ceasefire for further exploration with the relevant parties.

The Secretary-General also hopes that the meeting will make progress in ensuring humanitarian access throughout the territory of Syria in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions.

The Secretary-General urges the participants in the talks in Vienna to move beyond their differences on Syria and take advantage of this rare moment of diplomatic opportunity to end the conflict and advance their search for a negotiated political solution.  He pledges the full support of the United Nations in moving the process forward.

The Secretary-General reiterates the need for a single process of mediation to ensure that the international community speaks with a powerful voice.  As part of accelerating diplomatic efforts to advance a political solution to the crisis, the Special Envoy remains ready to convene intra-Syrian talks, building on considerable preparatory work undertaken to date.