Syria: Ashton warns sickening violence could spell disaster for the region

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Syria: Ashton warns sickening violence could spell disaster for the region

13-06-2012

"We are all appalled by the sickening violence we continue to witness in Syria," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton told the European Parliament in a speech in Strasbourg yesterday, saying the situation stood at a critical point and warning that further militarization could spell disaster for the country and the broader region.

In a speech on the latest developments in the Middle East and Syria, the EU High Representative said, "Those responsible for these crimes must ultimately be held to account and we must do everything to stop the bloodshed," adding: "We are at a critical moment. The situation is deteriorating day by day as the regime's behaviour reinforces the most radical elements on all sides."

"If the descent into further militarization continues, it will not only spell disaster for the people of Syria, but also the broader region, including Lebanon, where developments are extremely worrying," Ashton warned.

Stressing that "Assad has no place in the future of Syria", she said the Annan plan remained the best way forward: "As [UN] SG Ban-Ki Moon told the General Assembly on Thursday: the Annan plan must remain the centrepiece of our efforts. But that alone is not enough. We need to do much more to further isolate the regime, build real and operational international consensus, strengthen international sanctions and press the government towards compliance and transition."

She urged Russia and China in particular to unite with other members of the UN Security Council to apply more effective pressure to find a solution.

The High Representative said that while some EU member states had decided to withdraw and expel Ambassadors, the EU Delegation in Damascus would remain open for as long as possible. "This has been the request of many of you," she told MEPs, "and, most importantly, of Syrians themselves. They are our ears, eyes and hands to help are needed there."

Middle East Peace Process

Catherine Ashton also spoke about the Middle East peace process, saying that, "while it is not making the progress we all want the prospects for a two-state solution are being undermined by developments on the ground."

"Proposals for new settlements around East Jerusalem, the lack of Palestinian involvement in area C, the growth of settlements in the West Bank, settler violence and the financial situation of the Palestinian Authority all threaten the viability of a two state solution."

She said settlements remained the key and most serious concern, and stressed the EU would not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, unless agreed by both parties. "Settlement expansion must be condemned as they are illegal under international law and put current peace efforts at risk. I want to reiterate my call on the Israeli Government to exercise the highest sense of responsibility by reversing these decisions, in full respect of international law." (EU Neighbourhood Info)

Read more

Ashton speech

EU Neighbourhood Info Centre – Syria: EU releases €23 million to support civilian population and refugees (08-06-12)

European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection – Syrian crisis factsheet (May 2012)

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

The EU and the Middle East Peace process

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