Statement by the European Economic and Social Committee President Luca Jahier on the situation in North-East Syria

October 16, 2019
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The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the EU body representing European civil society, firmly condemns Turkey’s military operation in North-East Syria. As representatives of civil society, we are deeply concerned about the humanitarian costs of this intervention and urge the Turkish government to stop all military action immediately.

The current operation undermines the stability and the security of the whole region, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians and the pain of a population that has already suffered enough.

Turkey’s security concerns should be addressed through political and diplomatic means, not with military action, and in accordance with international humanitarian law. The EESC recalls that the European Union remains committed to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian state.

The EESC associates itself with the positions expressed on this matter by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, who strongly urged Turkey to stop all military action.

 

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Press Release

European Economic and Social Committee

Countries covered:

  • Syria *
Thematics
Civil Society