Brussels, 05/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 4 June, the leaders of the G7 committed “to intensify (…) efforts to address the threat arising from foreign fighters travelling to Syria”. “We have decided on cooperation to prevent, dissuade, punish and monitor this type of behaviour that can challenge our own security” said France's President François Hollande, stating that this could require legislation to be changed. “Our greatest threat is terrorism” said British Prime Minister David Cameron, adding that the response should be patient and intelligent. Cameron also said that it was necessary to work more with the countries neighbouring Syria.
In their joint statement, the heads of state and government also criticised the presidential election in Syria on 3 June, which was won with 88.7% of the vote by Bashar al-Assad and which they said was “sham”. In Hollande's view, “this ballot has no value”. “There is no future for Assad in Syria”, said the G7 leaders, once again endorsing the Geneva communiqué. “Only a clear commitment from all the parties to a true political process can open up the prospect for stability and peace in Syria”, said European Council President Herman Van Rompuy.
The G7 leaders firmly condemned “the Assad regime's brutality” and its violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, artillery fire and blind air strikes. “There is evidence that extremist groups have also perpetrated grave human rights abuses. All those responsible for such abuse will have to be held to account”, the G7 leaders added, welcoming the commitment of the National Coalition and the Free Syrian Army to respect international law. Taking advantage of Russia's President Vladimir Putin's not being there, the G7 members deplored Russia's veto and that of China on a draft resolution of the United Nations Security Council authorising referral to the International Criminal Court and calling for those responsible for the serious crimes to be held to account.
“Deeply concerned” by the allegations of the repeated use of chemical agents, the G7 leaders called on all the parties to cooperate unreservedly with the inquiry mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and they called on Syria to comply with its obligations so that the remaining stock of chemical weapons might be quickly removed for destruction.
The G7 also urged all parties in the conflict to allow the passage of humanitarian aid, “by the most direct routes, including across borders and conflict lines”. They said they supported further action on this from the United Nations Security Council. The G7 members are determined to help Syria's neighbouring countries to bear the weight of the flows of Syrian refugees, and they called on the international community to respond to the United Nations calls on the enormous needs for financing for Syria and its neighbours. (CG and MB)