Catherine Ashton on the resignation of Kofi Annan as Syria peace envoy

EUROPEA1 U1IO1

Brussels, 2 August 2012

A 358/12

Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton on the

resignation of Mr Annan as the U1-LAS Joint Special Envoy

to Syria

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and VicePresident of the Commission issued the following statement today:

"I express my deep regret at the resignation of Kofi Annan as the United ations – 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 U 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 U 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."

____________________

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

E1

بيان الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون يأسف لاستقالة كوفي عنان من منصب المبعوث الخاص المشترك إلى سورية ويدعو إلى تعيين خلف له سريعًا.