The European Union called for “serious negotiations” to reach an agreement by August 1st on “genuine political transition which would include a broad, inclusive non-sectarian transitional governing body with full executive powers in Syria.”
The EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday discussed the situation in Syria and, in a statement, stressed that “there cannot be a lasting peace in Syria under the present leadership.”
The EU strongly condemned “excessive and disproportionate attacks committed by the Syrian regime against its own people.” The EU said it would step up support to the Syrian opposition, and in particular the High Negotiations Committee (HNC), as the opposition representative in the UN-brokered talks in Geneva.
The 28-member European bloc renewed its call to the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court for war crimes committed in the country by all parties including ISIS.
The Council reviewed the EU Regional Strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the threat from ISIS, which was adopted in March 2015. The council noted that its objectives remain valid and should continue to be pursued to achieving lasting peace, stability, and security in Syria, Iraq and the wider region.
President of the Syrian Coalition Anas Alabdah called upon the European Union to salvage the political process through reviving the cessation of hostilities agreement and playing a more active role in Syria.
In a meeting with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini on Monday in Brussels, Alabdah said that having destroyed Syria, Assad is seeking to undermine the truce and, consequently, the whole political process. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Agencies)
