Swedish Foreign Minister: Constructive dialogue with Northern and Eastern Syria should be developed

Answering to a question by Socialdemocratic parlamentarian Anders Österberg about Sweden’s relations with Rojava, Foreign Minister Ann Linde said: “I have been committed to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with the civilian leadership of the Syria Democratic Council (SDC), the multi-ethnic umbrella organisation that governs Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). This includes the political party closest to the YPG and YPJ – the PYD. I am in close contact with the SDC and I am well acquainted with their needs and thinking. I have been clear in international fora that the SDC and representatives from north-east Syria must be included in the talks on the future of the country. The AANES leadership has repeatedly expressed appreciation for Sweden’s support and engagement.”

Linde added: “We have sometimes faced criticism for these talks. But I am convinced that we must have a constructive dialogue with the legitimate voices on the ground that actually administer and control the area. The advantage of such a dialogue is that we also have the opportunity to raise challenges or express views. Through dialogue and conversation, we can help the autonomy choose a democratic and inclusive way forward, which also contributes to peace in Syria as a whole. This is the stated ambition of the AAN and a direction of will that more people should be able to support. They have also clearly expressed respect for Syria’s territorial integrity and say they have no ambitions beyond Syria’s borders.”

Linde continued: “In this spirit, I have also expressed the need for community building to be inclusive and to include the local Kurdish opposition, the KNC. At least as importantly, the AANES must be responsive to the needs of the entire region, Assyrians, Arabs, Christians, Syrians and Yazidis.”