LUXEMBOURG—“The Council understands that the targeted US, French and UK airstrikes on chemical weapons facilities in Syria were specific measures… with the sole objective to prevent further use of chemical weapons and chemical substances as weapons by the Syrian regime to kill its own people,” reads a statement issued Monday by the 28 Europen Foreign Ministers at a meeting in Luxembourg.
They said they back”all efforts” to stop Syria using chemical weapons’’, calling on Russia and Iran to ‘’ use their influence on the Syrian government to prevent it from further use of chemical weapons.’’
But the EU statement also urged renewed efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria in the framework of the UN-led Geneval process..
The 28 ministers condemned the military offensive, backed by Russia, that the Syrian government is waging against rebels and called for an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian access.
Next week, the European Union and the United Nations will co-chair the ‘’Brussels II Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region’’. It will take place on 24-25 April and will gather more than 85 delegations from the international community, including the regional players.
‘’Next to the humanitarian pledges, the conference will also focus on how to relaunch the intra-Syrian political talks – meaningful political talks,’’ EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said. ‘’There was unanimity among the 28 EU Foreign Ministers to use this opportunity,’’ Mogherini said.