Guy Verhofstadt: "EU needs united position on Syria"

It is more and more clear that there will be a military reaction to the chemical attack of the Assad regime against innocent citizens in Damascus. This reaction is necessary as Bashar Al Assad seems to be convinced he can do whatever he wants and that there are no limits to his crimes against humanity. It is however important that this reaction is as unanimous as possible. Therefore we need a united position of the member-states of the EU on this military intervention and on the strategy to end the criminal Assad regime.

Guy Verhofstadt: "Europe should show to Assad that it cannot accept in any way his crimes against humanity. We should be united in this. This intervention should not be a loose coalition of the willing but a strong cooperation between the US, the EU, Turkey and the majority of the Arab countries. We should also work together in a strategy to get Assad out as this is the most important obstacle for peace talks."

"Together we should discuss how to arm the Free Syrian Army, how to implement a no-fly-zone to protect the Syrian people and how to deal with the growing number of Jihadis. Such a common and effective strategy will only be possible if the EU speaks with one voice. I call on the High Representative to convene a new urgent meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. Also, I have called on my colleagues in the EP Conferce of Presidents to meet for an urgent discussion on Syria."