As the city of Aleppo in Syria has seen, a crucial battle has been ongoing for the past two weeks between rebels and the troops of Bashar al-Assad, and on Thursday 18 August, the European Union and its member states, represented by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, called for the immediate end to fighting in order to allow medical evacuations, deliveries of aid and repairs to key water and electrical infrastructure.
The EU diplomatic chief said that humanitarian operations in Aleppo should serve humanitarian aims and fully respect international humanitarian principles and rules, and must not form part of any military strategy.
In a press release published by the Council, the EU points out that the Syrian authorities have the main responsibility for protecting the population. It strongly condemns all attacks on civilians and civil infrastructure, including excessive and disproportionate attacks by the regime, particularly the escalation of violence in Aleppo. The high representative said that all parties to the conflict should restore a cessation of hostilities, ensure the lifting of all sieges and allow sustainable humanitarian access throughout the country to people in need.
On Friday 19 August, Russia said it was prepared to observe a 48-hour truce every week to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population of Aleppo.
In the press release, the EU points out that there is no military solution to war and the continued escalation of violence has seriously endangered the peace process, adding once again that a political transition led by Syrians was the only way to put an end to more than five years of conflict, and all international players must respect the commitments made during the meeting of the international support group for Syria (ISSG) on 17 May 2016 (see EUROPE 11552).
Mogherini says the EU will continue to do all within its power to fully implement the Geneva Communiqué and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The EU supports the work of the ISSG co-chairs (the United States and Russia) and the UN special representative, Staffan de Mistura, to bring about a resumption of intra-Syrian negotiations as soon as possible. The EU and its member states will provide immediate aid for the reconstruction of Syria and a return of refugees and misplaced persons as soon as an inclusive political transition begins. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)