Brussels, 16/04/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton and European Parliament (EP) President Martin Schulz have welcomed the resolution unanimously passed by the United Nations Security Council authorising the immediate deployment of an advance team of up to 30 unarmed military observers to begin reporting on how well the total cessation of armed violence in Syria is holding. In a press release issued on 14 April, Ashton said the resolution “presents an unequivocal call from the international community to the Syrian regime to stop violence against its population and to address urgent humanitarian needs”, and she called on the Syrian government to take this opportunity to “change course” and “fully cooperate” with the initial observation team. “Even if the situation on the ground remains very unstable and uncertain, I hope this resolution will open the way to a fully-fledged UN observation mission in Syria in accordance with Kofi Annan's plan”, Ashton stated.
The resolution “proves that the international community is united and speaks with one voice, calling on the regime to keep its ceasefire commitments and immediately put an end to violence against its population”, said Schulz, arguing that the Syrian authorities must cooperate with the mission. He also condemned the “new surge in violence” in Homs and Aleppo on 15April “despite the ceasefire”.
UK Foreign Minister William Hague said the deployment of the mission was “a vital step in supporting the fragile ceasefire in Syria”. “It is essential that it begins its work urgently and without impediment” he added. He urged all parties to maintain the ceasefire to allow the monitoring mission to deploy and complete its task. His French counterpart Alain Juppé said he hoped the adoption of the resolution “marks a turning point in the crisis in Syria and paves the way for full cessation of violence”.
The resolution urges the Syrian regime to ensure that the observers enjoy free movement, and both sides to guarantee their security without hampering the mission. The first observers arrived in Syria on Monday 16 April, with fighting resuming between soldiers and deserters. (CG/transl.rt)