Brussels, 15/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - In Luxembourg on Monday, EU foreign ministers expressed their grave concern at the constant deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Syria and deplored the obstacles to the application of the resolution of the United Nations Security Council of 22 February. They call on the parties to the conflict to improve humanitarian access (see EUROPE 11060). Their discussion was informed by the first report of the Security Council on the subject currently under discussion at the UN. In its conclusions, the Council reiterates its call on all parties, and in particular on the Syrian regime, to guarantee the protection of the civilian populations and immediately to comply with this resolution.
“We insist on the immediate implementation of Security Council resolution 2139 on humanitarian access. We believe that it is the responsibility of the Syrian regime to guarantee tangible and permanent improvements to the situation, in particular as regards humanitarian aid. We recognise the importance of support to the neighbour countries of Syria”, Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, told the press, adding that the EU would continue its humanitarian aid, both in Syria and in the countries hosting the refugees.
The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the continuing use of artillery and aerial bombardment and calls on all parties to guarantee full humanitarian access, rather than on a “case-by-case basis”, the Council stressed. The EU reiterates the obligation upon all parties to protect schools and hospitals and to guarantee the safe passage of medical personnel, hospitals and ambulances, and stresses that the Bashar El-Assad regime is primarly responsible for any obstacles to the channelling of aid, particularly in areas which it does not have under control.
The EU urges the regime to allow humanitarian organisations to provide aid to all those who need it, including in areas which are hard to access or under siege.
Concerned by the cases of forced surrender imposed by the regime under cover of local ceasefires, the EU calls on the Assad regime to allow the ceasefires to be monitored by third parties.
Three years of war have led to 2.5 million refugees and the EU estimates that their numbers could rise to 4 million before the end of the year. So far, the EU has sent €2.6 billion in humanitarian aid to the country and to the communities hosting refugees. (AN)