EU FMs to discuss Syria situation and migrant wave heading to Europe

NEWS 01.03.202019:16
FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP

EU foreign ministers will hold an extraordinary meeting next week to discuss the escalation of the situation in Syria because of which numerous migrants are heading for EU borders, High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said on Sunday.

The fighting in Idlib, the last stronghold of rebels and jihadists in Syria, “represents a serious threat to international peace and security,” he said.

The European Union “needs to redouble efforts to address this terrible human crisis with all the means at its disposal,” said Borrell.

The date of the extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council next week has not been scheduled yet.

Borrell called on everyone involved “to urgently re-engage in a political process.” “We also have to continue mobilising resources to reduce the suffering of the civilian population… Humanitarian access needs to be ensured.”

“At the same time, we continue to follow closely the migration situation at our external borders. The EU-Turkey Statement needs to be upheld,” Borrell said.