Statement by the Spokesperson of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the detention of UN peacekeepers by an armed opposition group in Syria

EUROPEA/ U/IO/

Brussels, 7 March 2013

A 118/13

Statement by the spokesperson of EU High Representative

Catherine Ashton on the detention of U/ peacekeepers

by an armed opposition group in Syria

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and

Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement today:

"The High Representative is alarmed by the detention of more than 20 peacekeepers from the

Philippines, members of the U Disengagement Observer Force (UDOF) on the Golan.

The EU condemns arbitrary detentions and actions such as hostage-taking as they are serious

breaches of international law. The EU considers any attacks on the U or its personnel

unacceptable and demands the immediate and unconditional release of the peacekeepers.

The High Representative calls for good and swift cooperation of the parties to resolve the situation

as soon as possible.

She calls on all parties involved to refrain from any actions that may have negative effects on

regional stability and to respect U Security Council resolutions and the status of UDOF."

_____________________

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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www.eeas.europa.eu

E/

بيان المتحدث باسم الممثلة العليا كاثرين أشتون يعرب عن القلق من احتجاز مجموعة مسلحة معارضة جنودًا من قوة حفظ السلام الأممية في الجولان ويطالب بالإفراج عنهم.