Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the adoption of the United Nations Security Council resolution on Syrian chemical weapons

EU News 417/2013

New York, 27 September 2013
A 483/13

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission issued the following statement today:

"I warmly welcome today's UNSC resolution as it represents a major step towards a sustainable and unified international response to the crisis in Syria. It follows on from the important decision taken by the OPCW Executive Council in The Hague.

This decision should pave the way to the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria, and set a standard for the international community in responding to threats posed by weapons of mass destruction. The legally binding and enforceable resolution condemns the attacks of 21 August and calls for accountability for this crime and envisages a forceful international reaction in the event of non-compliance. The EU reiterates its readiness to support actions foreseen under the resolution as well as under the decision of the OPCW Executive Council.

We must not lose sight of the most important goal: ending the violence and heading towards a peaceful and democratic transition in Syria. In this respect, I am particularly pleased that the UNSC resolution contains a very clear endorsement of the Geneva agreement reached on the 30 June 2012 and calls for the convening of the follow up conference as soon as possible. In the meantime we also need to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the most vulnerable populations in Syria and that access is granted to humanitarian aid agencies."

Source: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/138848.pdf

• Tweet