Syria cancels Paris talks with Rojava after unity conference

Rudaw Net

6 hours ago

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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Syrian transitional government on Saturday canceled planned negotiations with the Kurdish-led administration of northeast Syria (Rojava) in Paris after Rojava hosted representatives of the country's minority groups for a unity conference.
'The government affirms that this conference has dealt a blow to the ongoing negotiation effort. Accordingly, it will not participate in any meetings scheduled in Paris, nor will it sit at the negotiating table with any party seeking to revive the era of the former regime,' a Syrian government source told state media.
The conference in Hasaka on Friday brought together the country's minorities to call for changes to the transitional constitution, which has been criticized as exclusionary.
Damascus condemned the event, saying it violated the March 10 agreement signed between Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) chief Mazloum Abdi and Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. That deal seeks to integrate the SDF into the Syrian state apparatus and recognizes the Kurds as an integral part of Syria.
Damascus and Rojava officials were expected to meet in Paris in the near future to advance stalled talks on implementing the agreement.
'The government calls on the SDF to seriously engage in implementing the March 10 agreement, and calls on international mediators to transfer all negotiations to Damascus, as it is the legitimate and national address for dialogue among Syrians,' the government source stated.
The source condemned the conference as 'a fragile alliance that includes parties harmed by the victory of the Syrian people and the fall of the former regime,' and said it was holding the SDF 'fully responsible' for any repercussions.
More than 400 representatives from Syria's minority communities, including Kurds, Druze, Alawites, and Christians, attended the conference.
Syria's minority communities have concerns about their future in the country and decisions made by interim President Sharaa and his Islamist-led government.
In March, Sharaa approved a constitutional declaration granting himself sweeping powers, including the authority to appoint all the judges of the constitutional court - the only institution capable of holding him accountable. In addition, 70 of the 210 seats in the parliament will be appointed by presidential decree. Critics have warned the interim constitution could entrench authoritarianism and marginalize minority communities.
The final statement from the conference called for the interim constitution to be amended 'to ensure broader participation and fair representation.'