Catherine Ashton on the US statement on Syrian Chemical Weapons Use

Brussels, 14 June 2013

EUROPEA/ U/IO/

A 320/13

Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on

the US statement on Syrian Chemical Weapons Use

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 saw with great concern the statement released on 13 June by the White House. This presents new

indications by the US intelligence services that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons

against opposition forces in Syria. This assessment, combined with others that have been

circulated, makes even more urgent our repeated calls for an agreement to immediately deploy a

U% verification mission to investigate these allegations on the ground.

At the same time, these developments can only reinforce the importance of a political solution and

should accelerate the efforts of the international community to find a definitive political solution to

the conflict. It is urgent to advance the political process, starting with the convening of the planned

peace conference on Syria. The EU will contribute to its success in every possible way.

The next Foreign Affairs Council will examine the overall situation and recent developments in

Syria, of which the alleged chemical attacks are an important factor."

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P R E S S

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 584 9780- [email protected]

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

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

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

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