Tehran, SANA – A Syrian-Iranian-Swiss meeting was held in Tehran on Tuesday to coordinate regarding humanitarian aid for the Syrian people, with Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad representing the Syrian side.

The three countries’ representatives discussed a variety of issues and the practical steps that should be taken to provide the necessary humanitarian aid for the Syrian who are facing difficult conditions due to terrorism.

In a statement after the conclusion of the meeting, Mikdad said that the international sides haven’t taken the warnings on the need to stop external support for terrorists in Syria and to prevent humanitarian disasters in it seriously, denouncing the unjust embargo which is imposed on the Syrian people.

Mikdad welcomed Switzerland’s impartial contribution to sending aid to Syrians affected by the crisis, saying that Syria is prepared is cooperate within the framework of the cooperation between the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other international agencies to help deliver and distribute humanitarian and medical aid among displaced Syria in a manner removed from politics.

He said that after four years of the crisis, the world is beginning to realize its mistakes and understand the threat of terrorist organizations like ISIS and al-Nusra, adding that the positions of some Western states are shifting in this regard.

The Deputy Minister said that some sides talk about difficulties of accessing areas under the control of terrorists to deliver aid, but those sides should ask how weapons are being sent from abroad to those very same areas controlled by terrorists.

In turn, head of the Development and Cooperation Department at the Swiss Foreign Affairs Ministry Manuel Bessler talked about the complicated situation and the difficulties affecting the delivery of humanitarian aid to Syria, stressing the need for coordination with the SARC in this regard.

Bessler also thanked Iran for hosting the meeting and stressed that the only way to end the human suffering in Syria is by preserving Syria’s sovereignty and pursuing a political solution.

For his part, Iranian Assistant Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian stressed the need for aid to be delivered in an impartial manner to Syrians affected by the crisis, including those who are within Syria and displaced Syrians abroad, adding that a report on the results of this meeting will be sent to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Hazem Sabbagh