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STORY: UN / SKOOG ASTANA TALKS
TRT: 01:25
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 20 JANUARY 2017, NEW YORK CITY
RECENT - NEW YORK CITY
1. Wide shot, UNHQ exterior
20 JANUARY 2017, NEW YORK CITY
2. Pan left, Swedish ambassador approaching stakeout
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations:
“We welcomed and supported the efforts by Russia and Turkey to end violence, establish a ceasefire, and jumpstart a UN-led political process. Security Council members called upon all parties to respect the ceasefire in Syria. There was reiteration on our call on the parties to allow humanitarian agencies rapid safe and unhindered access throughout Syria.”
4. Wide shot, Swedish ambassador at podium
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations:
“But of course, there are expectations, as I said, that the ceasefire, the conditions, and the respect for it be discussed in Astana and hopefully boosted. And that Astana does represent an important stepping stone coming back to UN-led talks in Geneva thereafter.”
6. Wide shot, Swedish ambassador at podium
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Olof Skoog, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the United Nations:
“I think that concern may have been there, but I think it was very clear, as I said; also what I just express to you was unified position that this is a step towards a UN-led process that will then resume in Geneva on the 8th of February.”
8. Pan right, Swedish ambassador leaving stakeout
The United Nations (UN) Security Council expressed its support for Russian and Turkish efforts to “jumpstart” a UN-led political process in Syria by organizing next week’s meeting in the Kazakhstani capital Astana.
Speaking to reporters in New York today (20 Jan), Swedish ambassador Olof Skoog said Council members called on all parties to the conflict in the country to respect the ceasefire in Syria negotiated by Russia and Turkey and allow humanitarian agencies “rapid safe and unhindered access throughout Syria.” Skoog, whose country is currently presiding over the Security Council, said there were expectations that “respect” for the ceasefire would be discussed in the Astana meetings set to take place on Monday, and that it would “represent an important stepping stone coming back to UN-led talks in Geneva thereafter.”
Asked if Council members were concerned that the Astana talks might be opening a new path for discussions on Syria, Skoog said “that concern may have been there”, however the Council’s statement revealed a “unified position that this is a step towards a UN-led process that will then resume in Geneva on the 8th of February.”
