Strasbourg, 13/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 13 September, the European Parliament called on the European Council “to consider broadening the scope of it restrictive measures to external entities or groups that undisputedly provide or facilitate financial and operational support to the Syrian authorities”. They supported the efforts agreed to increase pressure on the regime. In a joint resolution, MEPs stressed that the EU “should stand ready to adopt further measures” and to continue to explore, within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), “all options within the responsibility to protect (RtoP) framework”. The MEPs also called on High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton to exert “effective” diplomatic pressure on China and Russia to secure the adoption of a UNSC resolution.
The Parliament furthermore asks the EU and member states to help the opposition to continue to unite with “the aim of creating a credible alternative to the regime” and to start discussions with the opposition and Syria's neighbours on preparing a peaceful transition leading to democracy. The MEPs support “safe” havens along the border with Turkey and the creation of humanitarian corridors, and they ask Ashton to intensify her discussions with the EU's partners in order to establish these safe havens and humanitarian corridors. The Parliament also calls for increased international support, in humanitarian terms, in the neighbouring countries and also within Syria, and stresses the importance of finding a lasting response to the humanitarian crisis. The MEPs ask the EU to take “appropriate measures” to cope with a possible influx of refugees to EU member states.
As on several occasions, the MEPs call on “all armed actors to put an immediate end to violence in Syria”, which they condemn, and they call for a ceasefire without delay. They spoke of their fear of seeing the conflict and sectarian violence escalate, and their fear of the conflict spreading to other countries in the region. The Parliament also condemns “the regime's expressed intention to use chemical weapons against 'external terrorist threats'”. (CG/transl.fl)