Syria – Council conclusions (14 May 2012)

COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 14 May 2012

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COMAG 39

PESC 598

COHAFA 63

SY 15

OUTCOME OF PROCEEDINGS

From:

Council

On:

14 May 2012

No. Prev. Doc.: 9601/12 COMAG 38 PESC 560 COHAFA 61 SY 14

Subject:

Syria

– Council conclusions

Delegations will find attached the Council conclusions on Syria, as adopted by the Council on 14

May 2012.

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ANNEX

COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON SYRIA

1.

The EU reiterates its call on the Syrian authorities to fully and immediately comply with the

Joint UN-League of Arab States Special Envoy Kofi Annan’s plan as endorsed by UNSC

resolutions 2042 and 2043 and abide by all their commitments to the UN. The EU recalls that

the main responsibility for the ceasefire and the successful implementation of the plan lies

with the Syrian authorities. The Syrian government must ensure without delay the necessary

conditions for an effective operation and full and fast deployment of the UN observation

mission, including full freedom of movement and agreement on the use of air assets. It must

fully withdraw its troops and heavy weapons from population centres. The EU is deeply

concerned about the continued violence in Syria, including the recent deadly bomb attacks,

notably the ones in Damascus on 10 May. Acts of terrorism cannot be justified under any

circumstances.

2.

The EU underlines that a complete cessation of violence by all parties is an essential step in

the full implementation of Kofi Annan’s Plan, whose crucial goal is to facilitate a peaceful

Syrian-led and inclusive dialogue leading to a political solution that meets the democratic

aspirations of the Syrian people on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the UN Security

Council, UN General Assembly and League of Arab States.

3.

The EU recalls its full support to Kofi Annan’s six point plan, welcomes the progress to date

to deploy members of the UN supervision mission to Syria (UNSMIS) and urges continued

prompt deployment of the full mission. It recalls that the Syrian authorities are responsible for

ensuring the security and safety of the mission. The EU and its Member States are providing

support to the mission, as requested by the UN. The EU calls on all States concerned, and in

particular the Members of the UN Security Council, to continue to support Kofi Annan and

use all their influence to ensure that the UNSC resolutions 2042 and 2043 are fully

implemented. The EU underlines that the six-point plan is not an open-ended offer and that

the plan and the deployment of UNSMIS constitute the best opportunity to support a peaceful

solution to the crisis. It recalls that the UNSC remains seized of the matter.

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4.

The EU remains extremely concerned by the human rights situation in Syria, in particular the

systematic and widespread human rights violations committed by the regime. It condemns the

Syrian government's increased use of targeted assassinations and arbitrary detentions as a

means of repressing all opposition. The Syrian regime must immediately release all political

prisoners and human rights defenders, and ensure freedom to demonstrate peacefully. The EU

recalls that all those responsible for human rights violations should be held accountable.

5

The EU calls on all sides to respect the safety of humanitarian workers and deplores the death

of two humanitarian workers killed on 24 and 26 April. The EU reiterates its call on

the Syrian authorities to grant immediate, unimpeded and full access of humanitarian

organisations to all areas of Syria in order to provide relief to the one million people identified

as in need of humanitarian assistance. The UN Humanitarian Response Plan needs to be

implemented immediately and humanitarian capacities in the country strengthened. The EU

continues to support the efforts made by neighbouring countries to host Syrian refugees who

fled violence in Syria.

6.

The European Union remains committed to the Syrian people’s struggle for freedom, dignity

and democracy. The EU urges all opposition groups to continue to support Kofi Annan’s

efforts and to be ready to provide leadership and engage in a national political process as

foreseen in the six point plan endorsed by UNSC. The Syrian National Council and other

opposition groups must pursue their efforts to put aside their differences and to agree on a set

of shared principles and mechanism under the auspices of the League of Arab States for

working towards an inclusive, orderly and peaceful transition in Syria.

7.

The EU approved today further designations of individuals and entities to be subject to

restrictive measures. The EU will continue its sanctions policy targeting the regime, not the

civilian population, as long as repression continues. The EU will also continue to urge the

international community to join its efforts, in taking steps to apply and enforce restrictive

measures on the Syrian regime and its supporters. It calls on all Syrians to dissociate

themselves from the repressive policy of the regime in order to facilitate a political transition.

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استنتاجات مجلس الشؤون الخارجية حول سورية (14 أيار/ مايو 2012)، تطالب النظام بالالتزام الكامل بخطة المبعوث المشترك للأمم المتحدة وجامعة الدول العربية، وتعلن عقوبات إضافية.