GENEVA (Sputnik) – The sides to the Syrian conflict must respect the country’s sovereignty and independence as a secular state without religiously motivated divisions, a draft declaration on the last day of the latest round of intra-Syrian talks and seen by Sputnik stated on Thursday.
"[The parties recognize] respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria. No part of the national territory shall be ceded," the document titled "Essential Principles of a Political Solution in Syria" reads.
The next round of talks between government and several opposition delegations is expected in April.
"Syria shall be a democratic, non-sectarian state based on citizenship and political pluralism," the document continues, calling for a schedule to be defined for a political transition and a new constitution.
"Women shall enjoy equality of rights and representation in all institutions and decision-making structures at a level of at least 30 percent during the transition and thereafter," the document prepared by the UN diplomat, summarizing the common points of the delegations and submitted to them for approval says.
The document provides an overview of the results of the current round of Geneva talks and was provided to the parties for approval ahead of the next round of talks slated for April.
