Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the high urgency of a political solution to the Syrian conflict

EU News 380/2013

Brussels, 23 August 2013
A 430/13

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission issued the following statement today:

"I reiterate my strong concerns about the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria and am alarmed by the continued violence in Syria.

I fully support the UN's call for a thorough, impartial and prompt investigation into these alleged chemical attacks.

The international community must now urgently show a united face and ensure that a credible and thorough investigation can be carried out.

Without further delay we must move forward on a diplomatic process along the lines of the initiative for a Geneva II conference as initiated by Secretary of State Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov. We must move beyond our differences. We owe it to the Syrian people who are the ones suffering. The shocking number of children forced to flee Syria and displaced within the country is heart-breaking.

Too many people have suffered for far too long and lost far too much. We must now put an end to the spiral of violence, terrorism and to the ever growing flow of refugees. The international community must now act with a sense of urgency and responsibility."

Source: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/138610.pdf

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