The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, has said that the Turkish offensive launched on Saturday 20 January in the Kurdish enclave of Afrin in Syria is jeopardising the Syrian peace negotiations planned for the end of the month in Geneva.
During a press conference at the end of the Foreign Affairs Council, during which the Turkish operation was briefly discussed, the High Representative explained, “One of the different things that is causing us a lot of concern is that this operation, including the military activities in Syria, could seriously undermine the resumption of the discussions in Geneva".
She added that the Geneva discussions could, “really bring lasting peace and security in Syria with a political transition… which requires as calm a situation as possible on the ground and the involvement of the regime in Damascus in the political negotiations under the auspices of the UN".
According to Ms Mogherini, they need to be sure that, “any military activity is focused on Daech in strategic terms”, that humanitarian access is guaranteed and that the civilian population does not suffer from the military activities on the ground.
The High Representative also intends to discuss this operation with the Turkish Minister for European Affairs, Ömer Çelik, who will be travelling to Brussels in a few days' time. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)