Issam Dimashqi: We work on forming a Syrian national democratic bloc

The Syrian file has witnessed a new attempt in recent weeks to push the political process forward, through the holding of the "Democratic Path Conference" on October 25-26 in the Belgian capital, Brussels, with the participation of 128 delegates both physically and virtually, representing democratic forces and figures from Syria both inside and outside the country.

 The Syrian opposition figure and participant in organizing this conference, Issam Dimashqi, pointed out that the conference was an important step towards unifying the efforts of several democratic organizations and figures, especially in the complex circumstances the region is going through, where there seems to be a possibility of reshaping regional and international relations in the near future, and the potential for significant and qualitative changes in the Syrian situation.

He added: "From our side, in the Syrian democratic path, we affirmed that our work was merely a milestone or landmark on the road to collaborating with all democrats who operate as parties or through gatherings or political alliances, and at a later stage with all Syrian patriots, whether in the political field or in civil society, who wish to cooperate to achieve political transition in a unified Syria based on international resolutions, especially 2254, within a clear vision of Syria as a democratic state of citizenship that will achieve individual rights for its members, collective rights for its nationalities, and cultural rights for all."

 Issam Dimashqi continued: "An unjustified uproar was raised about the conference, indicating the immaturity of interrelations and alliances among political forces in Syria, and the lack of future awareness that Syria's future will depend on dialogue and negotiation among Syrians despite deep-seated differences between them. No one should think of excluding anyone, except those who wish to exclude themselves to serve non-Syrian agendas."

  Regarding the importance of the results achieved by the conference, Damashqi emphasized: "In the democratic path, we do not wish to exaggerate expectations. We have a lot of work ahead at the level of Syrian-Syrian relations to achieve an important and influential Syrian national democratic pole. Then, we have the task of working at the active Arab, regional, and international levels to play an influential role in overcoming the impasse that the Syrian situation is experiencing, and for this exit to be towards a comprehensive political solution in the Syrian situation, not towards re-floating the oppressive regime through cosmetic and patchwork reforms."

 Dimashqi concluded his speech by saying: "We must not forget that all of this will take place in conditions where the Syrians still lack the necessary forces and tools that would make them an influential actor, and where regional and international powers are still dominant, and the regime still maintains a relative cohesion that allows it to play an obstructive role in the required political transition."