Brussels, 13/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Sunday 12 May, the European Commission announced in a press release that it would give fresh aid of €65 million “in response to the rapidly growing scale of the humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict in Syria”.
The funds will enable the supply of emergency healthcare services, shelter, food, water, sanitation and basic household items needed by the 4 million Syrians who have been displaced in the country and by the 1.4 million Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries. There are currently 7,000 new refugees every day.
The Commission calls on all the countries that have pledged financial aid to urgently make this available so as to honour their commitments. It has asked that “all parties to the conflict cease attacks on humanitarians trying to serve the Syrian civilian population and to comply fully with international humanitarian law”. The Commission underlines that “attacks against civilians, including humanitarian workers, are totally unacceptable and must stop”.
British proposals on sanctions. The discussions on the EU sanctions on Syria continue. The British have proposed two options on the arms embargo - options that are supported by France. London proposes lifting the embargo for the coalition or lifting the term “non-lethal” from the list of exemptions to the embargo intended for the coalition. The two options pave the way for sending arms to the opposition but some countries remain firmly opposed to this. The change, like the prolongation of those sanctions that run until 1 June, requires unanimity from the member states.
On 8 May, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton spoke of her support for the joint call of the United States and Russia to convene of an international peace conference on Syria as soon as possible - as a follow up to the Geneva conference in June 2012. However, according to a Russian source, this meeting will not take place during the month of May. (CG/transl.fl)