Catherine Ashton strongly condemns shelling by Syrian forces of the Turkish town of Akçakale

EUROPEA1 U1IO1

Brussels, 4 October 2012

A 439/12

Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton

following the shelling of the Turkish town of Akçakale

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security

Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, made today the following statement:

"I strongly condemn yesterday's shelling by Syrian forces of the Turkish border town of Akçakale,

which killed five and injured many more civilians. I am in contact with the Turkish Foreign

Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to express our solidarity and our condolences to the families of the

victims and to the Turkish people.

Yesterday’s incident illustrates clearly the tragic spill-over effects of the Syrian crisis in

neighbouring countries. I once again urge the Syrian authorities to put an immediate end to the

violence and fully respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all neighbouring countries;

such violations of Turkey's sovereignty cannot be tolerated.

I call for restraint from all sides and will continue to follow the situation extremely closely."

____________________

P R E S S

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 299 97 80 - [email protected]

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

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

[email protected]

www.eeas.europa.eu

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بيان الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون يدين بشدة قصف قوات النظام السوري بلدة أقجة قلعة التركية الذي قتل خمسة مدنيين، ويطالب سلطات النظام السوري باحترام سيادة دول الجوار.