Press Conference After G20 FMs' Meeting in Bonn

© REUTERS / Brendan Smialowski/PoolParticipants of the G-20 foreign ministers' meeting pose for a group photo at the World Conference Center on February 16, 2017 in Bonn, Germany.
Participants of the G-20 foreign ministers' meeting pose for a group photo at the World Conference Center on February 16, 2017 in Bonn, Germany. - Sputnik International
Subscribe
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel has held a press conference after G20 foreign ministers meeting in Bonn.

Syrian government delegation headed by Bashar al-Jaafari attends a news conference after a meeting on Syria at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, March 16, 2016 - Sputnik International
German FM Says Damascus Unable to Hold 'Serious' Talks on Syria Settlement
Speaking at the final press conference after the G20 foreign ministers' summit in Bonn, German FM Sigmar Gabriel said that there is no question that Europe must spend more for defense. He also said that debate must go beyond military spending to include work on sustainable development.

The topics of Ukraine and Syria played an important role at several meetings within the framework of G20 in Germany’s Bonn, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said.

The Astana talks on Syria crisis resolution were important though rather limited in terms of discussed issues, while the political settlement will be discussed in Geneva, he said.

"Astana is focused on the issue of humanitarian aid and ceasefire, as it was stated there by our Turkish colleague. It is a good process, it can help," Gabriel said.

Representatives of the Syria regime and rebel groups along with other attendees take part in the first session of Syria peace talks at Astana's Rixos President Hotel on January 23, 2017. Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP - Sputnik International
Second Round of Astana Talks Yields Pact on Syria Ceasefire Monitoring
He added that the outcome of the Astana meeting was rather limited, while Geneva talks should kick off a political process.

The two-day Astana talks on Syria started on Wednesday, with Russian, Iranian, Jordanian and Syrian delegations having a number of technical meetings. The plenary session took place on Thursday. Ceasefire monitoring was the main issue on the talks agenda. Astana meeting is expected to be followed by negotiations in Geneva on February 23, where the main focus will be on elaboration of a new constitution and holding elections in Syria.

The G20 foreign ministers meeting under Germany’s chairmanship was held in Bonn on Thursday and Friday.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала