• From the beginning Türkiye has supported the initiatives of the UN and the efforts of the Joint Special Envoy Mr. Kofi Annan and has attached importance to the implementation of his 6 point plan.
• After more than a year long tragic events resulting in almost 10,000 loss of lives, we welcome Council’s resolution today, as an initial step in the right direction. The Council finally spoke with one voice.
• Cessation of armed violence and observation of ceasefire principles are of utmost importance. For its implementation, the responsibility rests with the Syrian government.
• It is important that, the Council today has decided to dispatch, despite its small number, an advance team of up to 30 military observers. In this supervision mission, monitoring and compliance will be two key issues. Türkiye will closely follow developments on the field.
• Türkiye will also closely follow, as reaffirmed by the Council in its call for the urgent, comprehensive and immediate implementation of all elements of the Joint Envoy’s 6 point plan.
• At the same time, it is important that, the Council has reiterated its call to allow immediate, full and unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance.
• We will continue to stand by the brotherly people of Syria in their legitimate and righteous aspirations for a pluralistic, democratic society based on respect for human rights.
• Türkiye is keenly interested in and supports the peaceful settlement of this crisis.