Statement by HR/VP Catherine Ashton on the resignation of Mr Annan as the UN-LAS Joint Special Envoy to Syria

European Commission

MEMO

Brussels, 2 August 2012

Statement by HR/VP Catherine Ashton on the resignation of Mr Annan as the UN-LAS Joint Special Envoy to Syria

I express my deep regret at the resignation of Kofi Annan as the United Nations – League of Arab States Joint Special Envoy to Syria.

From the beginning of Mr Annan's work I have backed his tireless efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Syrian crisis. We have had an excellent and close collaboration, and I - on behalf of the entire EU - am very appreciative of his efforts. He has invested an enormous amount of time and personal dedication to his difficult and dangerous assignment.

The EU continues to support the efforts of the UN and the League of Arab States and calls for the early appointment of a successor to carry on Mr Annan's work towards a peaceful political transition in Syria. The Six Point Plan remains the best hope for the people of Syria, and any further militarisation of the conflict by any of the parties can only bring greater suffering to Syria, its citizens, and the region as a whole.

Mr Annan's resignation makes clear how unfortunate it has been that the UN Security Council was unable to agree to a resolution, which would have endorsed the communiqué of the Action Group and so helped compliance with the Six Point Plan.

The EU remains committed to pursuing a Syrian-led political transition to the crisis that would meet the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people and bring back stability to Syria.

بيان من الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون تعبّر فيه عن أسفها لاستقالة كوفي عنان من منصب المبعوث المشترك للأمم المتحدة وجامعة الدول العربية إلى سورية، وتؤكد استمرار دعم الاتحاد لجهود الحل السلمي.