Catherine Ashton statement on the high urgency of a political solution to the Syrian conflict

EUROPEA* U*IO*

Brussels, 23 August 2013

A 430/13

Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on

the high urgency of a political solution to the Syrian conflict

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 U'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."

____________________

P R E S S

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Sebastien Brabant +32 460 75 09 98 - [email protected]

*abila Massrali +32 460 754 175 - +32 2 29 69218 - *[email protected]

Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - [email protected]

Follow us on Twitter@eu_eeas

www.eeas.europa.eu

E*

بيان الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون حول الحاجة الملحة إلى حل سياسي للصراع السوري، يجدد القلق من الاستخدام المزعوم للأسلحة الكيميائية واستمرار العنف ونزوح الأطفال.