The foreign minister, Martin Lidegaard, has stated that the time has come for the opposition in Syria to negotiate a resolution to the four-year conflict with the government regime led by President Bashar al-Assad, Berlingske reports.

The statement marks a reversal of Denmark’s position to negotiating with the Syrian regime.

Lidegaard told the newspaper that he didn’t think that a military solution was possible. “I’ve always found it difficult to see Assad as part of Syria’s future. I still do,” he said

“But, on the other hand, it’s obvious that Syria’s future needs to be negotiated, so we need to talk to the regime in Damascus. We can’t avoid it.”

Opposition unwilling
The opposition has been unwilling to engage in dialogue with Assad or his government. “I understand that the opposition wants to ensure that Assad doesn’t stay in power in the future. That’s legitimate,” he said.

But we need to negotiate with those in power and accept Assad as a negotiating partner in order to achieve peace.”

While Venstre is against the political U-turn, the opposition parties Konservative and Dansk Folkeparti both support the foreign minister and agree that a negotiated solution is the only way forward.

Lars Barfoed, the Konservative foreign affairs spokesman, drew attention to implications for the region at large. “We can’t avoid Assad. It’s he who represents the regime. It’s crucial to put an end to the civil war and IS,” he said.

“It’s no use just stubbornly rejecting Assad.”