Letter dated 12 May 2016 from the Permanent Representatives of the Russian Federation and the USA to the UN addressed to the President of the Security Council - Joint statement of the Russian Federation and the United States on Syria (S/2016/438) [EN/AR]

We have the honour to forward to you the joint statement of the Russian Federation and the United States on Syria of 9 May 2016 (see annex).

We should be grateful if you would circulate the present letter and its annex as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Vitaly Churkin Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation

(Signed) Samantha Power Permanent Representative of the United States

Annex to the letter dated 12 May 2016 from the Permanent Representatives of the Russian Federation and the United States of America to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

Joint statement of the Russian Federation and the United States on Syria

The Russian Federation and the United States of America, as Co-Chairs of the International Syria Support Group, recognize the progress that has been made with respect to the cessation of hostilities in Syria, in accordance with our joint statement of 22 February 2016, and in improving humanitarian access. We believe that our joint efforts have brought about a significant decrease in violence in the areas of north Latakia and east Ghouta. However, we also recognize the difficulties faced by the cessation of hostilities in several areas of the country, especially in the recent period, as well as remaining problems in ensuring humanitarian access to the besieged areas. As a result, we have decided to reconfirm our commitment to the cessation of hostilities in Syria and to intensify efforts to ensure its nationwide implementation. We also intend to enhance efforts to promote humanitarian assistance to all people in need in accordance with Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).

Cessation of hostilities

The Co-Chairs reaffirm our commitment to the nationwide cessation of hostilities that went into effect on 27 February across Syria and have decided to pursue the following measures to reinvigorate it:

1. Recognizing challenges related to the cessation of hostilities in certain areas, the Co-Chairs have re-emphasized the terms of the cessation of hostilities with field commanders on all sides, especially in Aleppo, eastern Ghouta and Latakia, where we are determined to improve and sustain the cessation of hostilities. We are using our influence with the parties to the cessation of hostilities on the ground to press them to abide by it, refrain from disproportionate responses to provocations and demonstrate restraint.

2. We demand that parties cease any indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including civilian infrastructure and medical facilities. Where attacks leading to significant civilian casualties are reported to have occurred, the Co-Chairs are committed to undertaking, within existing channels of interaction in Geneva, the region and capitals, a joint assessment and to sharing the results with the members of the International Syria Support Group Task Force on the Ceasefire and, through the Special Envoy for Syria, to the Security Council.

3. The Russian Federation will work with the Syrian authorities to minimize aviation operations over areas that are predominantly inhabited by civilians or parties to the cessation.

4. The Co-Chairs are urging all States to implement Security Council resolution 2253 (2015) by preventing any material or financial support to ISIL and the Al-Nusra Front, as well as any other groups designated as terrorist organizations by the United Nations Security Council, and to prevent attempts by such groups to cross the Syrian border. To that end, the United States is committed to intensifying its support and assistance to regional allies to help them prevent the flow of fighters, weapons or financial support to terrorist organizations across their borders.

5. In order to maintain the effectiveness of the cessation of hostilities, the Co-Chairs are committed to undertaking efforts to develop a shared understanding of the threat posed, and territory controlled, by ISIL and the Al-Nusra Front and to consider ways to deal decisively with the threat posed by ISIL and the Al-Nusra Front to Syria and international security.