EU launches comprehensive approach on Syria conflict

The European Union (EU) on Monday adopted a communication, mapping out a comprehensive EU approach in response to the conflict and its consequences in Syria and its neighboring countries. According to a EU statement, the EU response aims to support a political process that brings a sustainable solution to the crisis, prevent regional destabilization from the spill-over of the conflict in neighboring countries, address the dramatic humanitarian situation and assist affected populations, and address the consequences of the conflict on and in the EU. The communication also highlighted the actions and initiatives already taken by High Representative Catherine Ashton and the European Commission. "Our first priority is to promote a political settlement aimed at ending the violence and the human rights abuses," said the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, "In parallel, the EU is mobilizing its financial instruments in order to alleviate human suffering." According to Barroso, the European Commission had decided to allocate an additional 400 million euros (about 540 U.S. dollars) to the humanitarian, economic and development needs in Syria and in the neighboring region, bringing the EU's overall contribution to over 1.25 billion so far. "At the same time, we also call on other donors to redouble their efforts. We all have a duty to act," said Barroso. "On my visit to the region last week, I saw first hand the consequences of the war in Syria on so many people, and the rapidly deteriorating situation," said Catherine Ashton, the foreign policy chief of the EU. She said the EU is doing all it can to to bring about a transition leading to a united, inclusive and democratic Syria. "We must build on the US-Russian initiative to revive political negotiations on the basis of the June 2012 Geneva communique and convene the Geneva II conference as soon as possible," she added. "The EU is ready to provide any support necessary. But this communication also looks at other equally important elements of the EU response to the crisis, to ensure we act in the most comprehensive and efficient way possible to help the people of Syria," she said.