Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini at the joint press conference with United Nations Special Envoy to Syria Staffan De Mistura

The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Federica Mogherini, joined Syrian peace talks in Geneva on 23 March 2016 following a request from United Nations mediator Staffan de Mistura.

Ms Mogherini called for progress in the talks between the Syrian regime and the opposition representatives.

US Secretary John Kerry and Russia's president Vladimir Putin agreed on 24 March to use their influence over the sides in the Syrian conflict to speed up progress towards a political solution, as Negotiations in Geneva between representatives of the Syrian government and opposition reached a deadlock.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Syria: as conflict enters fifth year, UN-mediated peace talks resume in Geneva / Putin orders Russian forces to begin withdrawal from Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-syria-as-conflict-enters-fifth-year-un-mediated-peace-talks-resume-in-geneva-putin-orders-russian-forces-to-begin-withdrawal-from-syria/

EurActiv, 24.03.16: Mogherini demands progress at Syria talks http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/mogherini-demands-progress-at-syria-talks/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 26.03.16: Islamic State may have attacked Brussels, but it is losing in Syria and Iraq http://bit.ly/1VNPtp1

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 21.03.16: Now Is Not the Time to Talk of Federalism in Syria https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/now-not-time-talk-federalism-syria

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 18.03.16: How to Salvage Syria's Economy https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/how-salvage-syrias-economy

Chatham House: Focus on Syria and its Neighbours https://syria.chathamhouse.org/

EurActiv, 25.03.16: Russia and US agree to speed up Syria peace effort http://www.euractiv.com/section/europe-s-east/news/russia-and-us-agree-to-speed-up-syria-peace-effort/

US: Department of State: Remarks With Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2016/03/255138.htm

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2016: Assad's troops recapture Palmyra http://www.eurotopics.net/en/156378/assad-s-troops-recapture-palmyra

Deutsche Welle, 27.03.16: Palmyra recapture an 'important achievement,' says Syria's Assad http://dw.com/p/1IKYc

The Economist, 27.03.16: Islamic State under pressure. Palmyra falls as the caliphate is pushed back in Iraq and Syria http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21695752-jihadists-run-palmyra-falls-caliphate-pushed-back-iraq-and-syria

SETA: Opinion, 23.03.16: The Question of Federalism in Syria http://setav.org/en/the-question-of-federalism-in-syria/opinion/37045

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 30.03.16: https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/fall-palmyra-turning-point-syrian-war

---