Antonio Tajani, opening the extraordinary session of Strasbourg, on behalf of the European Parliament called for the "Rapid implementation of the UN Security Council resolution, and the lasting cease-fire" in Syria.
“There is an urgent need to ensure the protection of civilians - said Tajani - to evacuate the wounded and the sick, to deliver aid. A political solution is needed quickly to bring the Geneva process to a successful conclusion, all those with influence have a duty to act to stop this tragedy. Humanity is being lost in Syria. Let's not lose ours ”.
Tajani continued his speech, recalling that “just two weeks ago, in a plenary discussion, we expressed our concern for the dramatic situation in Syria. A few hours by plane from Strasbourg, the Syrians are suffering, the Syrians are hostage to political games greater than themselves. And, far from bringing hope, the developments of the last few days drive away any prospects for improvement. In just a few weeks, the eastern Ghouta offensive killed more than 1.000 people. Children, women, elderly and vulnerable people, thousands of injured are in a situation of absolute urgency ".
Tajani stressed that in Afrin, the spiral of violence leads to fears of the worst and that the humanitarian situation inside the enclave is likely to worsen rapidly; all parties must assume their responsibilities, including the guarantors of the Astana process.
The President of the Assembly then concluded by saying that "no interest, no cause can justify barbarism, ethnic cleansing, the slaughter of innocents".