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TunisiaSyria: EU to start dialogue with key regional actors to prepare ground for political transition and post-conflict phase
October 18, 2016
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European Union foreign ministers, meeting in Luxembourg on Monday 17 October, came to a common, united position on Syria, calling on Russia to stop the bombing and create the conditions for a cessation of hostilities, in particular to allow humanitarian aid to reach Aleppo.
“We have had a very good discussion with the UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura. We have decided that the European Union and the UN will work more together to push the humanitarian aid into Aleppo, but also that the European Union will start talks with key actors in the region on the post-conflict phase in Syria,” said EU High Representative Federica Mogherini.
“I know this seems far away now but we believe – and we have shared with the UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura – it could be helpful in this moment to start reflecting on the post-conflict institutional settings for Syria: reconstruction, reconciliation, governance, including local governance.”
“I know this seems far away now but we believe – and we have shared with the UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura – it could be helpful in this moment to start reflecting on the post-conflict institutional settings for Syria: reconstruction, reconciliation, governance, including local governance.”
Mogherini said that priority number one now is to save the people of Aleppo and called on Russia and on the Syrian regime to stop the bombing of Aleppo and to continue talks with the US and other key players on the ground to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe in the city. She also stressed that the EU will urgently hold talks with Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia and continue its work with different Syrian opposition groups – including civil society, women, Christian minorities and others.
We believe we have some positive leverage, some positive agenda that could be built,” said Mogherini. “So the news is the European Union is clear, united, with strong positions but also with some concrete steps we have decided to take in the coming days.”
The Council adopted conclusions on Syria, strongly condemning the attacks by the regime and its allies, notably Russia, in particular the disproportionate and deliberate targeting of civilians, and humanitarian and health care personnel. In them the EU calls for:
· an end to all military flights over Aleppo city by the regime and its allies
· an immediate cessation of hostilities to be monitored by a strong and transparent mechanism
· a lifting of the sieges
· the granting by all parties of full, unhindered and sustainable country-wide humanitarian access
Read more
Council conclusions on Syria (17-10-2016)
Remarks by Mogherini following Syria discussion at Foreign Affairs Council (17-10-2016)
Mogherini press conference following Foreign Affairs Council (17-10-2016)
European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection – Syrian crisis factsheet
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