Brussels, 19/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 18 June, the G8 countries managed to agree on a statement on Syria - a minimalist statement, which reflects the deep differences of opinion and tense talks between Russia and its partners. In their press release, the heads of state and government of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the United States, Japan and Canada stress that they are “determined to work together to stop the bloodshed and loss of life in Syria and to support the Syrian people to establish peace and stability through political means”. The leaders therefore strongly support the decision to hold the peace conference in Geneva as soon as possible in order to implement fully the Geneva communiqué of 30 June 2012, “which sets out a number of key steps beginning with agreement on a transitional governing body with full executive powers, formed by mutual consent”. The statement does not include mention of Bashar al-Assad's fate because Russia refused this.
“Both sides at the conference must engage seriously and constructively”, the G8 countries state, saying that both sides should be fully representative of the Syrian people. “We will engage actively with the parties in order to achieve successful outcomes”, the G8 leaders add.
In addition, the leaders condemn “in the strongest possible terms all human rights violations and abuses in Syria, committed by anyone, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians. We call on all sides to respect international humanitarian and human rights laws, noting the particular responsibility of the Syrian authorities” in this regard.
The G8 leaders also speak of their deep concern at the growing threat of terrorism and extremism in Syria, and at the ever stronger sectarian nature of the conflict. “We call on the Syrian authorities and opposition at the Geneva Conference jointly to commit to destroying and expelling from Syria all organisations and individuals affiliated to Al Qaeda, and any other non-state actors linked to terrorism”, the leaders state. They condemn any use of chemical weapons in Syria and call on all parties to the conflict to allow access to the UN investigating team.
Acknowledging the “vital” humanitarian role played by neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees, the leaders of the G8 announced additional contributions of almost $1.5 billion to meet humanitarian needs in Syria and its neighbours, and the leaders called on other countries and organisations to make similar commitments. “We call for aid agencies to be given immediate access to provide humanitarian assistance to all civilians in need.”
Russia is opposed to setting up a no-fly zone.
Bashar al-Assad threatens Europe if it delivers weapons. Elsewhere, in an interview published in the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Syria's President Bashar al-Assad stressed that, “if the Europeans deliver weapons, Europe's backyard will become (a ground) for terrorism and Europe will pay the price”. “The consequence of delivering weapons would be the direct export of terrorism to Europe (…). Terrorists will come (to Europe) with experience in fighting and an extremist ideology”, he warned. He also rejected the accusations of his using chemical weapons, saying that, if France, the UK and USA had “any evidence for their allegations at all, they should have presented it to the world”. In al-Assad's opinion, the UK and France are trying to assert their national interests. “We have always been free and independent. France and Great Britain are historically colonial powers. They have very likely not forgotten it”, he added (our translation). (CG/transl.fl)