Debate on the Situation in Syria&nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg. Statements by Cristian Dan PREDA (EPP, RO), Victor BOSTINARU (S&amp;D, RO), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE) and Alyn SMITH (Greens/EFA, UK)

Strasbourg

EU - Syria (T)

debate

plenary session

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

SMITH, Alyn (Greens/EFA, UK)

LOCHBIHLER, Barbara (Greens/EFA, DE)

PREDA, Cristian Dan (EPP, RO)

BOŞTINARU, Victor (S&D, RO)

TANNOCK, Timothy Charles Ayrton (ECR, UK)

SCHAAKE, Marietje (ALDE, NL)

advance of Islamic State (T)

Situation in Syria: MEPs debate

SOUNDBITE (French), Cristian Dan PREDA (EPP, RO), A credible transition doesn't mean elections right now, as Assad and Putin have suggested, that is unacceptable, we need to concentrate on the peace process and then on the moment of stability elections will be possible.

SOUNDBITE (English), Victor BO&#350;TINARU (S&amp;D, RO), This last 10 days have been the quiets for the most Syrians in the last 5 years, but this could help to build up a momentum behind the peace talks in war turned country and allow the international talks set to start tomorrow to resume soon.

SOUNDBITE (English), Victor BO&#350;TINARU (S&amp;D, RO), The participation of the moderate Syrian opposition in the international talks is essential and should be guaranteed. Therefore we condemn any actions against moderate Syrian opposition forces and against the town of Aleppo that could undermine the cease fire and equally the international talks.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), As the peace process gathers momentum Moscow must realise that its behaviours is closely scrutinised, only with Russia playing its role as a responsible international interlocutor and actor can be peace be brought to that blighted country.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), The monitoring of the association agreement independently becomes even more important as well as the monitoring of aid delivery, how is that organised and our food drops considered for those suffering the most. You mentioned the packages on Lebanon and Jordan, is it enough, I frankly worry a great deal about the situation in Jordan and Lebanon while so much attention goes to Turkey, we cannot afford Lebanon to collapse.

SOUNDBITE (German), Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE), This will be a critical moment hopefully it will inclusive and apply to all population groups including the Kurds. Whilst the preparation for the peace talks have so far simply given women a sort of side line role I would on this international women's day underline the role of women that have opposed the Assad regime and the Jihadist groups as well.

SOUNDBITE (English), Alyn SMITH (Greens/EFA, UK), There can be no peace without accountability on all sides of this conflict and I'm grateful and glad to hear of the reopening of the Damascus office of ECHO, but my question will be, to what extend your services are assisting NGO's domestically and internationally or even individuals to gather the evidence that we will need to ensure that accountability is part of Syria's eventual solution.