ForMin Melescanu calls Saturday's US, UK France's military action in Syria firm reaction to atrocities in Douma

Romania's Foreign Minister Teodor Melescanu says Saturday's military action taken by the, the United Kingdom, and France in Syria represents "a firm reaction to the atrocities in Douma," the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) informs.

Melescanu made this statement Monday at a meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Luxembourg.

The meeting discussed the situation in Syria amidst escalating military confrontations on the ground and reports on the use of chemical weapons against the civilian population, "issues with dramatic humanitarian consequences, particularly in East Ghouta."

In this context, Melescanu stressed that Romania categorically condemns the use of chemical weapons in all circumstances, especially when it comes to their use against civilians.

The Romanian official expressed his support for the urgent, independent and impartial investigation of the crimes committed and the prosecution of the persons guilty of committing such acts.

According to MAE, Melescanu stressed that the action taken by the United States, the United Kingdom and France on April 14 is "a strong reaction to the atrocities that have resulted in numerous civilian victims in Douma," expressing Romania's solidarity with its allies and strategic partners.

About the prolonged crisis in Syria, Melescanu drew attention to the danger of a military escalation in Syria, with serious consequences throughout the region and urged all parties involved to end, as soon as possible, this war that had devastating consequences and made numerous civilian casualties, and to actively support the UN's efforts to resolve this crisis politically.

Regarding the Brussels II conference on Syria, which the EU will jointly organise with the UN on April 24 and 25, the Romanian foreign minister stressed that this is a crucial moment ahead and that "the EU must express firmly, alongside its international partners, its support for the resumption of the UN-mediated Geneva peace talks."

A debate on Iran aimed to assess the latest developments. The ministers showed that it is essential to continue the full and strict implementation of the commitments made by Tehran, in line with the Joint Comprehensive Action Plan (JCPOA) and the UN resolutions, to build confidence that the Iranian nuclear program targets strictly civilian goals.

The EU-Russia relationship was also addressed by the European foreign ministers for the continuation of unitary action and the main approach, already agreed at EU level, which highlights the importance of international law being respected. General support for maintaining sanctions was expressed as long as violations of international law rules persist.

During the discussion on the architecture of the EU's external financial instruments in the forthcoming multi-annual financial framework post 2020, emphasis was placed on the importance of the EU's neighborhood and the need to implement the strategic priorities of the EU Global Strategy, including from a budgetary perspective. Romania emphasised the importance of maintaining the Neighbourhood Instrument as a distinct financial instrument with adequate budgeting, to reflect the true political relevance of the relationship with the partner states in the immediate, eastern and southern neighbourhood.

The ministers adopted Conclusions on Syria, South Sudan, a response to cyber hostilities, namely chemical disarmament and non-proliferation.

During an informal dinner, the European foreign ministers discussed the security satte in the Western Balkans region, including the European Commission's Communication "A credible Western Balkan Perspective for Accession and an Enhanced EU Engagement with the Western Balkans" in preparation for the summit on the Western Balkans in Sofia on May 17.

Melescanu highlighted Romania's support for strengthening regional stability and security, the relevance of EU-NATO co-operation to strengthen partner resilience and the importance of a common approach to the fight against terrorism, preventing and combating radicalisation and strategic communication. He mentioned the utmost importance that Romania attaches to the Western Balkans region, including during its presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019. AGERPRES (RO - author: Oana Ghita, editor: Georgiana Tanasescu; EN - author; Corneliu-Aurelian Colceriu, editor: Adina Panaitescu)

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