09.09.2013

Statement by the EPP Foreign Ministers‘ Group on Syria

Following their meeting held in Vilnius on September 7 on the margins of the Gymnich meeting, the EPP Foreign Ministers adopted the following statement, which the EPP Foreign Affairs Coordinator, Elmar Brok, stated this morning in Brussels:

The EPP Foreign Ministers:

1) Express their concern over the humanitarian tragedy in Syria and call on the EU Member States and international institutions to help alleviate it.

2) Condemn the use of chemical agents on August 21, most probably by some Assad regime elements, and declare that the Syrian regime has to be prevented from using them again.

3) Support the presentation of evidence before the United Nations Security Council, particularly by the UN Inspectors, and call on all UNSC members to act according to their responsibilities on behalf of all humanity.

4) Declare that, if the evidence confirms the use of such weapons of mass destruction by the Assad regime, an immediate ultimatum should be issued to the regime to place its stockpile of chemical agents under international control – which could involve Russia – within 30 days. The regime should also unconditionally agree to join the political peace process at Geneva.

Note to editors:

The EPP is the largest and most influential European-level political party of the centre-right, which currently includes 74 member-parties from 40 countries, the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council, 13 EU and 6 non-EU heads of state and government, 13 members of the European Commission and the largest Group in the European Parliament.

For more information:
Kostas Sasmatzoglou, EPP Spokesman, Tel. +32-2-2854147
Javier Jiménez, EPP Senior Press and Communication Officer, Tel. +32-475480446

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