The appointment is of vital importance; the Czech Republic continues to hold the firm conviction that achieving a stable peace in Syria, ensuring the safety and legitimate rights of all Syrian citizens, is conditional on a negotiated political settlement between the Syrian government and the democratic opposition. The Czech Republic calls on all sides of the conflict in Syria, as well as the international community, to earnestly cooperate with the new Special Envoy toward this goal.

The Czech Republic pays its respects to the previous UN Special Envoy to Syria, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, for his devoted efforts under challenging circumstances.

The Czech Republic strongly supports the speedy approval of a UN Security Council Resolution under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorising United Nations agencies to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria through all expedient land border routes from neighboring countries, with the consent of the neighboring country in question. Stipulations under the existing UN Security Council Resolution No. 2139 have failed to achieve results called for by the critical humanitarian situation in many areas of Syria.