Brussels, 04/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 3 September, France's President François Hollande called on Europe to unite on the Syrian issue. The French parliament was debating the situation in Syria at the time of going to press. Stating that “when a chemical massacre occurs (…), when proof is given, when the culprits are known, then there must be a response. This response is expected from the international community”, Hollande said that “Europe must also meet on this issue. It will do so. Each with its responsibility. France will assume its responsibility.”
During his meeting with Germany's President Joachim Gauck, Hollande said that “although the political responses can be the same, there are different responsibilities, there are different traditions and there are different capabilities. Each of the governments, of the states, must take its responsibility for itself. That of France is prominent and particular in Europe.” “In what concerns not only us, we will therefore have to be in full solidarity with Europeans - I do not see the action of France being separate. But at the same time, we will have to take extra responsibility, given what France is”, he added.
“Germany does not act like France in terms of international action (…). I would simply like to say that, in our fundamental values, we are absolutely on the same lines. There is no divergence and we find it unbearable that a dictator can act without punishment and can break a taboo like this to such an extent without any consequences (…). This calls for an appropriate response”, Gauck stated.
Reiterating that Paris will not act alone, Hollande said that, if the US Congress decides against intervention, France “would also assume its responsibilities, by supporting the democratic opposition in Syria in a way that a response can be brought”.
European meeting at the G20. “A wide coalition must therefore be formed at the international level with the US, which will soon take the decision, with Europe, and there will be European-level meetings in the coming days with the Arab countries, which have already made their decision”, Hollande said. European foreign affairs ministers are meeting in Vilnius on 6-7 September. The attendance of US Secretary of State John Kerry is still planned for the morning of Saturday 7 September at the informal Foreign Affairs Council in Vilnius, even if the US has not definitely confirmed this, a European source told EUROPE.
Hollande also announced a meeting on Syria among Europeans at the G20. The G20 is due to discuss the situation in Syria more generally - even if this is not officially on the meeting programme. Although Hollande said that the discussions on Syria will take place on the sidelines of the summit, Gauck stated that Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel “thinks that at the forthcoming meetings, for example at the G20 summit, it will be possible to reach an international agreement on the appropriate response with regard to Syria”.
Europe has reiterated the importance of punishing the use of chemical weapons, but without resorting to the military. “The use of chemical weapons is an odious act that deserves our firm condemnation. It cannot go unnoticed or unpunished. But we must also lay stress on finding a complete solution to the conflict. The chance for peace is rapidly dimming. It is our collective duty to restore it”, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso told the heads of EU delegations. European Council President Herman Van Rompuy told the same heads of delegation that “there cannot be impunity”. “But even in these tumultuous days, the calls for responsible action must include the long-term vision. All external parties agree that there is not a military solution to the Syrian conflict. Only a political solution can put an end to the terrible bloodshed and destruction in Syria. It is time for the international community to put its differences aside and to bring the parties in the conflict closer to the negotiating table”, he added (our translation throughout). (CG/transl.fl)