Brende on Syria withdrawal: Action has to follow words

Brende about Syria extract: Action must follow wordsOslo. Foreign Minister Børge Brende.Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix

Russia has stated that the will pull its troops out of Syria, but it remains to be seen  how this is actually going to happen,  Minister  of Foreign Policy Børge Brende (H) says.
– It is essential to initiate real negotiations for peace in Syria. Continuation of the ceasefire is important. We must closely monitor what Russia actually will do in the coming days – action has to follow words. We are facing a substantial withdrawal may increase pressure on President Bashar al-Assad to negotiate an agreement in Geneva, said the Foreign Minister said.
– The Russian emphasis on the diplomatic process can be viewed as a signal to the Syrian regime to actively participate in the peace talks that have now started in Geneva. Anyway, we have to await further developments before we can see the final meaning of this Russian decision, Brende continues.
He points out that it is now five years since the uprising against Assad began, and urges all parties to continue to respect the ceasefire and help improve the access to humanitarian aid in the country.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today