In regard to the deteriorating situation in Syria, the Council has adopted conclusions on the Syria conflict. The Council condemned the disproportionate and deliberate targeting of civilians, and humanitarian and health care personnel as well as the abuses of human rights and all violations of international humanitarian law by all parties.

In order to save the people of Aleppo and in other parts of Syria the EU calls urgently for:

• an end of all military flights over Aleppo city

• an immediate cessation of hostilities to be monitored by a strong and transparent mechanism 

• sieges to be lifted

• full unhindered sustainable country-wide humanitarian access granted by all parties

The starvation of civilians through the besiegement of populated areas for which the regime bears the greatest responsibility, as a tactic of war, and forced population transfers are a clear breach of international humanitarian law and must stop.

The Council therefore welcomes the EU emergency humanitarian initiative launched on 2 October in close coordination and cooperation with UN agencies, to deliver humanitarian relief to eastern Aleppo and other besieged areas.

The EU will continue to promote intensive humanitarian diplomacy and call upon all parties to provide full and unhindered countrywide access to all those in need and to end all obstruction to the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The Council also stressed the importance of keeping the unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Syrian state. Thus the EU actively participates in the ISSG and its taskforces and fully supports the UN Special Envoy de Mistura in the efforts to create the conditions for resumption of intra-Syrian talks, noting his proposal for Eastern Aleppo.

Furthermore, the EU recognises the efforts made to re-establish a full cessation of hostilities and regrets that they have not yet succeeded and encourage further attempts to do so. The EU deplores the Russian veto on 8 October to the UN Security Council Resolution to restore the cessation of hostilities and allow humanitarian access in Aleppo which was co-sponsored by all EU Member States.

Conversely, the Russian veto on 8 October to the UN Security Council Resolution to restore the cessation of hostilities and allow humanitarian access in Aleppo, was condemned by the Council. The Council called on Russia to ensure immediate and expanded humanitarian access and create the conditions for a credible and inclusive political transition.

Welcoming the Council’s conclusions HR/VP Frederica Mogherini, said that 'There can be no military solution to the conflict. A political solution must be sought. The EU has decided to launch a dialogue with key regional actors to prepare the ground for a political transition, reconciliation and reconstruction.'

The EU believes that there cannot be a lasting peace in Syria under the current regime and urges the latter to finally lay out its plan of truly implementing a genuine political transition in order to address the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian society.