EPP Group calls for diplomatic solution for Syria with urgent and mandatory Resolution

"The Syrian crisis highlights the shortcomings of the European external action despite all our efforts. The dramatic ineffectiveness of the United Nations has created a situation in which Syrian President Assad and his allies are so far the only winners, while the Syrian people -with millions displaced and thousands of civilian casualties- are the losers", said José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, EPP Group Spokesman on foreign affairs, following the vote today in the plenary on a Joint Resolution on Syria.

The Resolution strongly condemns the mass killing of civilians with chemical weapons on 21 August 2013 which, according to Western intelligence, resulted in the death of at least 1400 people, amongst which 400 children. Different sources indicate that the Syrian regime is responsible for this attack.

The Parliament calls on the international community to come up with a political solution for Syria which will stop the violence, prevent further use of chemical weapons and promote a democratic transition.

In particular, Salafranca calls on Russia, as a permanent Member of the UN Security Council, to face up to its responsibility and facilitate a compromise on a common position and a diplomatic solution to the Syrian crisis.

"Beyond the mobilisation of our resources and all our efforts, it is crucial for the European Union to speak with a single and clear voice on this crisis", Mr Salafranca concluded.