The Elders welcome Syria breakthrough and encourage rapid follow-up through the Geneva II talks
<h3 class="post-title subpt">"This agreement renews hope that diplomacy can still work." Kofi Annan
Following the announcement that the United States and Russia have reached an agreement on Syria's chemical weapons, The Elders reiterate their call for a political solution to the conflict.</h3><div class="quoteblock"><div class="quotetext"></div></div><p>The Elders warmly welcome the recent agreement on chemical weapons reached between Russia and the United States in Geneva, which could open up the prospect for a peaceful path out of the Syrian crisis.</p>
<p><em>“This agreement is an important breakthrough,”</em> said <strong>Kofi Annan</strong>, Chair of The Elders and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. <em>“There are still difficulties to overcome to ensure that the chemical weapons in Syria are safely, quickly and permanently decommissioned.”</em></p>
<p><em>“This agreement renews hope that diplomacy can still work. The Security Council must now urgently forge a consensus to build on this momentum and ensure that the Geneva II conference is convened soon in order to secure a peaceful and lasting resolution to the Syrian conflict.”</em></p>
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