Damascus: French diplomats, who arrived in Damascus on Tuesday after a 12-year halt in diplomatic relations, held talks with the new authorities in Syria, the French Foreign Ministry said.
“The team spoke with a representative appointed by the transition authorities. They noted that in keeping with the ideals of the 2011 revolution, which it supported, France hoped for a peaceful political transition that would represent all components of Syrian society and respect the rights of all Syrians, including women; that it would guarantee the protection of civilians, particularly ethnic and religious minorities; and that it would preserve state institutions and guarantee Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
The ministry noted that France will be attentive to ensuring the interests of collective security, including continuing the fight against the Islamic State terrorist group (IS, or ISIS, banned in Russia) and other terrorist groups and will “determine its commitments in Syria based on these criteria.”
The diplomats also met with representatives of the United Nations, the European Union and civil society, the statement added.
On Sunday, acting French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the goal of the diplomats was “to re-establish our influence there, make initial contacts with the new authorities, and assess the immediate humanitarian needs of the population
