High Representative Mogherini speaks to Foreign Minister of Turkey Cavusoglu on Syria

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, held a phone-call tonight with Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavusoglu to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation in Syria. Minister Cavusoglu debriefed the High Representative about the agreement reached yesterday by President Erdogan and Russian President Putin on Idlib. Stressing that a military offensive in Idlib needs to be avoided and that Astana guarantors have committed to safeguard this last remaining de-escalation zone, Federica Mogherini underlined the importance of the implementation of yesterday’s agreement. This should guarantee the protection of civilian lives and infrastructure, enable humanitarian access and provide basis for the renewal of the political process under the auspices of the UN and Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura, with a view of an inclusive, credible and sustainable political solution for Syria.

Mogherini and Cavusoglu also spoke of the Syria high-level event that the European Union will host in New York during the ministerial week of the UN General Assembly, as a follow up of the Brussels II conference held in April, to take forward the support to a political settlement of the conflict and the humanitarian response to alleviate the sufferings of the Syrian people, within and outside the country. The Turkish Foreign Minister will participate upon an invitation of the High Representative.