Top diplomats to meet in Munich for Syrian peace effort

Foreign ministers from the US, Russia and the Syria contact group gathered in Munich on the 11 February 2016 for a new round of Syria talks as the Red Cross said a recent Russia-backed military offensive near Aleppo province had displaced some 50,000 people. Also attending were representatives from Saudi Arabia, Iran and other world and regional powers.

The meeting followed the suspension the previous week of the recently re-launched the UN-backed Syrian talks in Geneva.

A communiqué issued on the 12 February 2016 said that the representatives meeting as the International Syria Support Group had agreed that humanitarian access would commence immediately to besieged areas, and an ISSG task force would within one week elaborate modalities for a nationwide cessation of hostilities.

The members of the ISSG pledged also to do all they could to facilitate rapid progress in political transition negotiations, including the reaching of agreement within six months on a plan that established credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance and set a schedule and process for drafting a new constitution, free and fair elections, pursuant to the new constitution, to be held within 18 months and administered under supervision of the United Nations

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Syria talks hang in the balance http://www.europeansources.info/record/syria-talks-hang-in-the-balance/

Germany: Federal Foreign Office: Press Release, 11.02.16 Statements by Foreign Minister Steinmeier on the upcoming conference on Syria in Munich http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/sid_FDC7783013F2252B8B580A32E263781A/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2016/160211_Syrien.html

France24, 11.02.16: Syria peace talks to start in Munich as 50,000 flee Aleppo fighting http://www.france24.com/en/20160211-syria-aleppo-50000-displaced-turkey-munich-meeting

ESO: Background information: Syria talks in Vienna http://www.europeansources.info/record/syria-talks-in-vienna/

Germany: Federal Foreign Office: Press Release, 12.02.16: Final communiqué of Syria meeting in Munich http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2016/160211_Communique%20Syrienkonferenz.html

The Guardian, 12.02.16: Partial Syria ceasefire agreed at Munich talks http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/12/syria-ceasefire-munich-talks-us-russia

BBC News, 12.02.16: Syria conflict: World powers agree ceasefire plan http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35556783

Sputnik International, 12.02.16: Kerry: Agreement Reached on 'Full Cessation of Hostilities' in Syria http://sputniknews.com/middleeast/20160212/1034615970/syrian-ceasefire.html

France24, 12.02.16: Major powers agree to plan for 'cessation of hostilities' in Syria http://www.france24.com/en/20160212-major-powers-agree-plan-cessation-hostilities-syria

EUObserver, 12.02.16: EU, US and Russia to 'pause' Syria war https://euobserver.com/foreign/132247

EurActiv, 12.02.16: Major powers agree to plan for 'cessation of hostilities' in Syria http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/major-powers-agree-plan-cessation-hostilities-syria-321823

Politico, 12.02.16: US and Russia agree to implement ceasefire in Syria http://www.politico.eu/article/u-s-and-russia-agree-to-implement-cease-fire-in-syria-kerry-lavrov/

Today's Zaman, 12.02.16: Turkey says Syria ceasefire won’t hold if Russia does not stop airstrikes http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turkey-says-syria-ceasefire-wont-hold-if-russia-does-not-stop-airstrikes_412146.html

Deutsche Welle, 12.02.16: Staffan de Mistura, UN special envoy on Syria says negotiations in Geneva were tough, but worthwhile http://dw.com/p/1HuTm

Euro|Topics: Debates, February 2016: Hopes of a ceasefire in Syria http://www.eurotopics.net/en/153494/hopes-of-a-ceasefire-in-syria

Chatham House: Multimedia: Audio: Middle East Syria Podcast, 12.02.16 https://www.chathamhouse.org/file/middle-east-syria-podcast

Euro|Topics: Debates, February 2016: Fighting trumping diplomacy in Syria http://www.eurotopics.net/en/153861/fighting-trumping-diplomacy-in-syria

EU: EEAS: Statement, 12.02.16: Statement of the International Syria Support Group http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2016/160212_01_en.htm

EU: EEAS: Statement, 15.02.16: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini following the Foreign Affairs Council http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2016/160215_04_en.htm

EU: EEAS: Statement, 15.02.16: Joint statement by HR/VP Federica Mogherini and European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides on deadly attacks on hospitals and schools in Syria http://eeas.europa.eu/statements-eeas/2016/160215_05_en.htm

EUObserver, 15.02.16: Turkey clashes with allies over attack on Syria Kurds https://euobserver.com/foreign/132261

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