We, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States, want to make it clear that the presidential election in Syria on 26 May will be neither free nor fair. We condemn the Assad regime’s decision to hold elections outside the framework set out in UN Security Council Resolution 2254, and we join the voices of all Syrians, including civil society organizations and the Syrian opposition, who have supported the electoral process. Is condemned as illegal.

As stipulated in the resolution, free and fair elections should be conducted under the supervision of the United Nations in accordance with the highest international standards of transparency and accountability. An election can only be credible if all Syrians, including internally displaced Syrian refugees and expatriates, are allowed to participate in a safe and unaffected environment.

Until these conditions are met, these insidious elections indicate no progress on the path to political settlement. We urge the international community to continue this effort of the Assad regime to gain legitimacy without ceasing its serious human rights violations and without making any significant contribution. Participates in a UN-backed political process to resolve the conflict, categorically denying it.

We reaffirm our firm support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to Syria to promote a political solution based on all elements of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which will benefit the future of all Syrians. And affects rights, including the right to participate for free. Fair election guaranteed.