Friends of the Syrian People meeting: Ashton warns of growing risk of civil war

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Friends of the Syrian People meeting: Ashton warns of growing risk of civil war

06-07-2012

The risk of civil war in Syria has become increasingly real, with further escalation of the conflict having a serious impact on the region as a whole, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said following the meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People in Paris today.

"The overwhelming response of so many States and organizations shows the strong commitment of the international community to support the Syrian people as the tragic situation on the ground continues to deteriorate," Ashton said in a statement. "Violence is increasing and numbers of casualties have reached unimaginable levels. The risk of full civil war has become even more real."

The EU foreign policy chief said the regime was clearly responsible for the brutality of the repression. "Instead of freeing detainees and withdrawing its troops and heavy weapons from urban areas, Assad's regime continues with the shelling of innocent civilians."

"Any further militarisation of the conflict will have a serious impact not only on the Syrian people but on the region as a whole. We can already see serious effects in neighbouring countries who shoulder the largest and most difficult burden," the High Representative said.

Catherine Ashton added that she had participated in the Action Group meeting last Saturday in Geneva. "We now have a concrete roadmap for a Syrian-led transition and a clear mandate for Kofi Annan to take this forward. He has an extraordinarily difficult task. Now, collectively, we will have to ensure its implementation and increase the pressure on the regime. The unity and coherence of the international community is essential. That is why the UNSC must act now and ask for the implementation of Kofi Annan's plan and the roadmap agreed in Geneva, including international sanctions." (EU Neighbourhood Info)

Read more

Ashton statement

European Commission – Factsheet - The European Union and Syria (May 2012)

European External Action Service – Frequently Asked Questions on EU restrictive measures against the Syrian regime

EU Neighbourhood Info Centre webpage – Syria

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