On 11 February 2017, the Centre for Political and Foreign Affairs (CPFA) in Paris convened a meeting dedicated to examining prospects for a political settlement in Syria. The discussion, moderated by Renaud Girard, senior reporter at Le Figaro, brought together two prominent Syrian opposition leaders: Randa Kassis, co-chair of the secular Syrian delegation at the 2016 Geneva negotiations and founder and president of the Astana Platform, and Ahmad Jarba, former president of the Syrian National Coalition and founder of the Cairo Platform.

The two participants shared their perspectives on how to overcome the protracted stalemate in Syria and advance towards an inclusive and sustainable peace process. Randa Kassis stressed the importance of pragmatic approaches that acknowledge the realities on the ground while addressing the aspirations of Syrians for stability and democratic governance. Ahmad Jarba emphasised the necessity of unifying the opposition and presenting a coherent political alternative capable of shaping the future of the country.

In hosting this exchange, CPFA reaffirmed its mission to provide a forum for dialogue on critical international challenges. By convening influential regional actors, the Centre sought to promote deeper understanding of the Syrian conflict and to contribute to the search for solutions that prioritise inclusivity, pragmatism, and long-term stability.