Brussels, 16/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU has welcomed a draft resolution for the UN Security Council on Syria, proposed by Russia on 15 December. Maja Kocijancic, a spokesperson for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton said: “The EU considers the draft resolution as the basis for a negotiating text. The EU will strive to achieve a text that sends a strong message and reflects the gravity and urgency of the current situation. We welcome the draft UNSC resolution on Syria circulated yesterday by Russia as a step in the right direction.” The resolution slams violence in Syria by all sides, including disproportionate use of force by the Syrian government, violence also criticised by the EU and the US.
The spokesperson added: “The HRVP (Ed: Catherine Ashton) has called for the UNSC to assume its responsibilities regarding the situation in Syria. The EU and its member states will continue to lead the efforts for a strong and united message. The situation in Syria was discussed at the summit with Russia and this message was conveyed.”
The situation in Syria was discussed at the EU-Russia summit of 15 December, where the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, called on Russia to back the EU's resolutions on Syria at the UN Security Council, which Russia had been vetoing, refusing to join the protests at the behaviour of Bashar al-Assad's regime. (CG/transl.fl)