Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Christos Stylianides in support of the latest UN appeal for a ceasefire in Syria

We once again add our voice in full support of the latest UN appeals for a 48-hour humanitarian break in the fighting to allow UN agencies to provide humanitarian assistance to Syrian people and to repair the electricity and water networks. More than 2 million people are trapped in the city and its surroundings and we risk facing one of the worst human tragedies of the entire Syrian war. This is a matter of urgency. All International Syria Support Group members should join their efforts to exert their influence over parties in conflict for a stop in the fighting to become possible.

A humanitarian pause is only the first step for a return to the cessation of hostilities across the country in accordance with the UNSCR 2254. A restored cessation, in turn, would not only allow the international community to engage in alleviating the human suffering in Aleppo, but also pave the way for restarting the intra-Syrian talks.