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Syria Action Group meeting in Geneva

Foreign Secretary: "These have been difficult talks but have resulted in a step forward that is worth having"

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Speaking at the conclusion of Kofi Annan’s Action Group on Syria Meeting, Foreign Secretary William Hague said,

“These have been difficult talks, but have resulted in a step forward that is worth having. It is the first time that the P5 and other key players have spelled out in detail what transition should look like, including a transitional unity government involving the opposition and based on the principle of mutual consent. I welcome the fact that Russia and China have signed up to this.

“Although we have made progress, it is clear that it was a compromise agreement. There were things we would have liked to see in the text that and there were other things that others couldn’t sign up to, including a clear commitment to Security Council action.

“Today’s marathon meeting is progress and demonstrates the international community’s ongoing commitment to the Syrian people.”

Published 30 June 2012