Any plan for putting Syria’s chemical weapons under international control has to be “serious” and adhered to by everyone, the European Union (EU) has said.
“We welcome, of course, any proposal which can help reduce the violence in Syria and put illegal chemical weapons beyond use,’’ Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, said in Brussels.
“Clearly, it is vital that this is a serious proposal and that it will be followed through and respected by all parties,’’ he added.
“We are ready to help in any way we can.’’
The EU also remains in favour of holding a peace conference to help find a political solution to the Syrian conflict, Mann said. A French draft resolution to be introduced at the UN Security Council demands that Syria comply with a Russian proposal to put its chemical weapons under international control and then dismantle them or face “serious consequences,’’ said Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius.
“We must accept the outstretched hand without falling into a trap,” Fabius said of Moscow’s plan, which has been welcomed by the Syrian regime.
The five-point resolution also condemns the August 21 chemical weapons attack in Syria and demands that the International Criminal Court initiate proceedings in the case.
