VERHOFSTADT URGES ASHTON TO FORM CONTACT GROUP FOR CLEAR ACTION ON SYRIA

Guy Verhofstadt, ALDE group leader in the European Parliament, has written to HR/VP Ashton urging her to step up joint action with Arab states, Turkey and US to form a 'friends of the Syrian people' Contact Group without delay with three objectives:

- prepare immediately an operational plan for humanitarian intervention, including creation of safe zones in border regions with Turkey and Jordan connected to humanitarian corridors;

- provide material and technical support to Syrian opposition movements that are committed to protecting human rights whilst stepping up sanctions against regime officials;

- Actively participate in establishing an international coalition of countries, where the UNSC has failed, prepared to act to save the lives of Syrians and promote a new era of democratic change to replace the Assad regime.

See attached a copy of the letter.