During the EP plenary session (28/02-01/03 2018) in Brussels, MEPs debate on the humanitarian situation in Syria, in particular Ghuta. Statements by Antonio TAJANI, EP President, Christos STYLIANIDES, José Ignacio SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA (EPP, ES), Victor BOŞTINARU (S&D, RO), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK) and Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL).

Brussels

TAJANI, Antonio (EPP, IT)

EU - Syria (T)

debate

plenary session

SALAFRANCA SÁNCHEZ-NEYRA, José Ignacio (EPP, ES)

STYLIANIDES, Christos (CY, EC)

BOŞTINARU, Victor (S&D, RO)

situation of Syrian refugees (T)

TANNOCK, Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR, UK)

SCHAAKE, Marietje (ALDE, NL)

humanitarian aid (T)

Humanitarian situation in Syria, in particular Ghuta: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (French), Antonio TAJANI, Over 550 people have been killed including 120 children, woman; elderly people and vulnerable people, and thousand of people have been injured and there a very urgent situations. On the 24th of February the Security Council of UN adopted a resolution 2401 calling for immediate cease fire , and a humanitarian corridor of at least 30 days in the country.

SOUNDBITE (French), Antonio TAJANI, I strongly condemn the harassment and black mail and sexual abuse that has taken place in Syria within the humanitarian aid distribution!

SOUNDBITE (English), Christos STYLIANIDES, We are equally concern about the report of use of chlorine gas in eastern Ghuta. Investigation in the field should be supported definitely. The Eu sanction regime has already been use to target perpetrators and can be mobilised again. The Resolution adopted by United Stated and Council last saturday, is an essential step forward, but it is only the first step.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Jos&#233; Ignacio SALAFRANCA S&#193;NCHEZ-NEYRA (EPP, ES), The EU must continue to unset the impact of this terrible conflict as done in Iraq, Lebanon or Jordan. And I want at the same time, we must encourage with all the international conferences, such as the one that was held in London and Brussels but the EU must get involve and must make every effort to mobilise, to get a genuine lasting peace and put an end to this nightmare.

SOUNDBITE (English), Victor BO&#350;TINARU (S&amp;D, RO), <a></a>Shame on the one that dare to close their eyes and hope that Russia will solve all their problems. You are illuded. The war in Syria might only be the beginning of a war after war even worst.

SOUNDBITE (English), Victor BO&#350;TINARU (S&amp;D, RO), What happened today will have repercussion on a long term. Colleagues, refugees will not stop. EU continue to play its chronicle inability to act.

SOUNDBITE (English), Victor BO&#350;TINARU (S&amp;D, RO), One question is now in the air: are we really unable today to make sure that at least the embargo and the selling of arms to Syria is respected? This is a devastating question mark for our Union and for the humanity.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), The offensive in eastern Ghuta on the outskirt of Damasco, home of some 400000 civilians is the latest target. Is those civilians, including woman and children, will be killed on daily basis by bombing that we must keep in our mind at this time.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), We must do more, as Europeans towards a political solution negotiated on a UN hospices. Accountability for the brutality should be our key priority. There cannot be peace without justice.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), The EU as the biggest donor of the humanitarian and development aid must look in the terrible cases of sexual abuse to refugees that are the most vulnerable by aid organisations workers that are supposed to help them and now attack them. It is absolutely scandal that we must seek an investigation into.