EU Presidency Statement on Syria

SYRIA: STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENCY ON BEHALF OF EU LEADERS MEETING AT HAMPTON COURT, 27 OCTOBER 2005

EU Leaders meeting at Hampton Court today welcomed the report of the UN International Investigation Commission under Judge Detlev Mehlis. The report's conclusions are very serious. The Leaders welcomed agreement to extend the ICC's mandate until December. The Leaders expressed their full support for the UN Security Council's determination to see justice done in this case, and deplored the clear indication that Syria has not cooperated fully with the investigating team. This is of particular concern given Judge Mehlis' identification of evidence of Syrian involvement in the assassination of Rafik Hariri. The Leaders call upon Syria to cooperate unconditionally with the investigators as they continue their efforts to bring about justice in respect of these appalling crimes.

The Leaders underlined the importance of working to ensure the sovereignty of Lebanon, in recognition of its people's clearly expressed aspirations for democracy and independence. The Leaders look forward to decisive action by the UN Security Council in support of these aims.

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• EU-Syria Association Agreement: Speech by European Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner  (26/10/2006)
• Human rights in East Timor, Syria and North Korea (15/6/2006)
• EU Parliament - Freezing funds of suspects in Rafiq Hariri murder (18/1/2006)
• EU Council Conclusions - Syria and Lebanon (7/11/2005)
• GAERC Conclusions on Syria and Lebanon (18/7/2005)
• Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner's remarks on the occasion of the funeral of Rafik Hariri (16/2/2005)
• EUHR Solana condamne l'attentat contre le convoi de Rafic Hariri (14/2/2005)