European Parliament Resolution on Syria

The European Parliament has passed a resolution that calls for a halt to all attacks in Syria and to resume negotiations on a ceasefire and peace. The parliament called upon all parties in the conflict, and especially Russia and the Assad regime, to stop all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including water and electrical infrastructure, to undertake credible and immediate steps for the cessation of hostilities, to lift all sieges and to allow rapid, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies to reach all people in need.

The resolution also strongly condemns all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure and the lack of humanitarian access to the Syrian people in need. Although the EU Parliament welcomed the EU emergency humanitarian initiative for Aleppo, which, in addition to mobilising funds for urgent humanitarian needs, aims to ensure medical evacuations of wounded and sick people from Eastern Aleppo, it urged all participants in the International Syria Support Group to resume negotiations to facilitate the establishment of a stable truce and to intensify work for a lasting political settlement in Syria.

Furthermore, the resolution the Parliament called on HR/VP Mogherini to renew efforts towards a common EU Syria Strategy. Such a strategy should aim at facilitating a political settlement in Syria, and include monitoring and enforcement tools to strength respect for agreements and obligations made within the International Syria Support Group.

Ivan Korčok, President-in-Office of the Council, represented HR/VP Federica Mogherini, who was unable to attend the plenary debate.