Brussels, 11/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 11 September, in Strasbourg, MEPs called for a greater peace effort to be made, underlining that, although it is necessary to destroy the Syrian regime's chemical agents, more is needed to bring about peace in Syria as conventional weapons continue to kill people.
Speaking on behalf of the EPP Group, José Ignacio Salafranca of Spain stressed the need for a United Nations Security Council resolution that is “binding, mandatory and refers to Chapter 7” of the United Nations Charter (see related article on external action). He also expressed the hope that the resolution would be put to good use in order to have a humanitarian corridor with a no-fly zone. The setting up of a no-fly zone was also requested by the leader of the ALDE Group, Guy Verhofstadt of Belgium, and by the leader of the ECR Group, Charles Tannock of Britain. Tannock took the view that the Geneva protocol on chemical weapons must be applied, that a rapid response was needed, in addition to a flight ban, and that the regime should be compelled to sit at the negotiating table.
Hannes Swoboda, the leader of the S&D Group at the EP, considered the Russian proposal is “only the beginning of a peace process” with true dialogue. “We must convince Russia and Iran to make an offer of peace and seek a political solution”, he added. Pointing out that this proposal was made after the threats that a strike would be carried out, he said that “threat is useful but emphasis should now be placed on peace. Let us give peace a chance in Syria!” Pressure is also required, Verhofstadt said, explaining that “carrots need sticks and Assad will only respond if the threat of force against him is credible”.
Ulrike Lunacek (Greens/EFA, Austria) asserted that “if the Security Council is blocked, there is a solution: move on to the level of the General Assembly in order to create legitimacy at international level (Ed: for action). If there is the possibility, then that must be seized”.
MEPs also spoke of the need to help the Syrian population and called on member states to take in more people fleeing the country. They also welcomed the action undertaken by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton for a common position of the 28 EU member states during the Gymnich meeting on 7 September (see EUROPE 10917).
Ashton considered it “essential” that the new momentum given by the Russian proposal should be seized. For the first time in many months, she said, the international community is united about action on Syria. She called on the Syrian regime to comply with its commitments. The latest developments, she added, give a chance to reinvigorate the broader diplomatic process. She then went on to urge all parties to promote a political solution.
Earlier in the day, the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, described the proposal on the table as a wise move. “We are hoping for a diplomatic solution and placing the chemical arsenal under control is a decisive move towards this”, he added (our translation throughout). (CG with MD/transl.jl)