Syria – Council conclusions (25 June 2012)

COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 25 June 2012

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COMAG 65

PESC 815

COHAFA 82

SY 19

OUTCOME OF PROCEEDINGS

From:

Council

On:

25 June 2012

No. Prev. Doc.: 11779/12 COMAG 63 PESC 810 COHAFA 80 SY 18

Subject:

Syria

– Council conclusions

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

25 June 2012.

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ANNEX

COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON SYRIA

1.

The European Union strongly condemns the brutal violence and massacres of civilians, many

of them children and women, such as in the town of Houla on 26 May, and in the villages of

Qubair and Maarzaf in Hama province on 6 June. It is also appalled by reports on the use of

children as human shields. The EU welcomes the UN Human Rights Council resolution

adopted on 1 June, condemning the deteriorating human rights situation in Syria and the

horrific killings in Houla. It urges the Syrian regime to end immediately the killing of

civilians, withdraw the Syrian army from besieged towns and cities and to allow for a

peaceful transition for the sake of the country. President Assad has no place in the future of

Syria. The EU looks forward to the outcome of the investigation by the Independent

Commission of Inquiry on Syria into the massacre in Houla. The EU urges the Syrian

authorities to fully and immediately cooperate with the Commission. The EU recalls that all

those responsible for widespread, systematic and gross human rights violations must be held

accountable.

2.

The EU recalls its full support to Joint UN- League of Arab States Special Envoy Kofi

Annan’s mission and his six-point plan. It welcomes the full deployment of the United

Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS), but regrets that the escalation of violence

led to the suspension of UNSMIS observation activities on 16 June. It recalls that the Syrian

authorities are responsible for ensuring the security and safety of the mission and for

facilitating the resumption of the unobstructed work of the mission. It strongly condemns the

attacks against UN monitors.

3.

The EU condemns all actions aimed at obstructing the implementation of Annan’s six point

plan. It reiterates that the main responsibility for the ceasefire and the implementation of the

plan lies with the Syrian authorities. The EU warns against further militarisation of the

conflict and sectarian violence which will bring enormous suffering to Syria and risks having

a tragic impact on the region. The EU calls on all parties to refrain from using violence and in

particular on the regime to fully implement the Annan plan. The EU recalls that the six-point

plan is not an open-ended offer.

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The European Union condemns the unacceptable shooting down by Syria of a Turkish

military plane on 22 June. It offers its sympathies to the families of the airmen involved, and

commends Turkey's measured and responsible initial reaction. The European Union notes that

this is a matter which needs to be investigated thoroughly and urgently. It calls on Syria to

cooperate fully with Turkey and allow full access for an immediate investigation, and for the

international community to give its support to such efforts. The European Union urges Syria

to ensure that it complies by international standards and obligations.

4.

The EU calls on all the 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 UNSC

resolutions 2042 and 2043 are fully implemented. The EU calls for united action by the

UNSC to add more robust and effective pressure, including the adoption of comprehensive

sanctions under Chapter VII. In this respect, it welcomes Annan's efforts to work with key

international partners exercising a positive influence in the region to move the political

process forward. The EU takes note of the discussion on Syria during the EU-Russia Summit

on 3-4 June and reiterates the importance of Russia’s engagement in support of a peaceful

political process which must lead to a democratic transition.

The EU looks forward to the next meeting of the Friends of the Syrian People Group that will

be held in Paris on 6 July to maintain international pressure on the Syrian regime and support

Annan’s six- point plan.

5.

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

democracy and human rights. The EU continues to urge the Syrian National Council and other

opposition groups to put aside their differences and to agree on a set of shared principles and

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

more united opposition that represents a credible alternative for all Syrians is essential. The

EU calls on all opposition groups to actively and fully support the implementation of the

Annan plan.

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6.

The EU welcomes the outcome of the third Syria Humanitarian Forum held on 5 June. The

EU calls on the Syrian authorities to fully cooperate and ensure the rapid implementation of

the humanitarian response plan, including immediately allowing full unhindered and safe

access to humanitarian workers and delivery of humanitarian aid. The EU fully supports the

humanitarian initiative to urgently evacuate non-combatants and the wounded from Homs and

calls on all parties to allow the evacuation of children, women, elderly and injured from

conflict zones. The EU will continue to support the efforts made by neighbouring countries to

host Syrian refugees who fled violence in Syria.

7.

The EU approved today the designation of new persons and entities to be subject to restrictive

measures. The EU will continue its policy of imposing additional measures 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. In this context, the EU welcomes

the second meeting of the International Working Group on Sanctions which was held in

Washington on 6 June. 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 (25 حزيران/ يونيو 2012)، ترحب بقرار مجلس حقوق الإنسان الذي يدين تدهور الأوضاع، وتدين مجزرة الحولة، وتدعم مهمة عنان وتعلن عقوبات جديدة.