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Brussels II: Syria Conference Day 2 Opens With Emphasis on Political Solution

Brussels II: Syria Conference Day 2 Opens With Emphasis on Political Solution
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The second day of the Brussels II conference for Syria opened Wednesday with an emphasis on restarting negotiations for a political solution to the conflict while bolstering humanitarian aid for refugees.

Brussels II: Syria Conference Day 2 Opens With Emphasis on Political Solution

This is the second iteration of the donor conference "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region," which is hosted by the European Union, co-chaired with the United Nations and attended by around 80 delegations. The conference began Tuesday and will look to support Syrians - both inside the war-torn country and across the region - and communities hosting refugees, as well as aim to bolster support for a political solution.

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini opened the day's sessions with a call for a "return to the negotiating table" to reach a political solution between Syrian parties in the conflict.

"The path to reconciliation will not be easy, we are not naïve."

Addressing the delegations, she said, "We don't share the same views on everything ... but I believe the possibility to work together on two things: mobilizing the financial support to allow ... [Syrian refugees and internally displaced] to study and stay alive and also to work together to bring the Syrian parties to bring them to the negotiating table."

"I do believe we have the leverage ... if we decide to use it. Let us try to win the peace, or rather to let the Syrian people win the peace," she added. "Syria is not a chess board for geopolitical games, it belongs to all Syrians, no one excluded."

In a video message, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the attendees and said too that the only solution for the Syrian crisis is a political one that is based on a "vision of a democratic and non-sectarian state ... with full respect for and protection of the rule of law."

He said the conflict poses a serious threat to global security due to the many actors involved and condemned the targeting of civilians and the purported use of chemical weapons.

Guterres also praised the generosity of the international community and said he hoped the donations at the conference would be sustained if not increased.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, a co-chair at the conference, said the regional response plan of over $5 billion was 27 percent funded so far, with $1.2 billion already committed.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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