Mogherini Says Starting Transition Process in Syria ‘Extremely Important’

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that the International Syria Support Group has been working on making sure that the much-anticipated intra-Syrian talks on the civil war settlement would start this week, as they were previously scheduled for January 25 in Geneva.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Starting a transition period in Syria is prerequisite for a successful settlement of the ongoing civil war in the region, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Monday.

"It is extremely important… to have a transition process started in parallel with better humanitarian conditions on the ground. We have to make sure that Syrian people face better situation," Mogherini said during a press conference in Ankara after a meeting with Turkish officials.

Mogherini added that the International Syria Support Group has been working on making sure that the much-anticipated intra-Syrian talks on the civil war settlement would start this week, as they were previously scheduled for January 25 in Geneva.

Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with government forces fighting several opposition factions and militant groups.

The International Syria Support Group resolved in November to engage the parties to the Syrian conflict in formal peace talks. Mediators agreed on a six-month timeframe for Syria to form an interim unity government with an election to be held within 18 months.