Written declaration No. 573 | Doc. 13489 | 15 July 2014

Situation in Syria: humanitarian crisis and solidarity

Signatories: Mr Robert WALTER, United Kingdom, EDG ; Mr Aydin ABBASOV, Azerbaijan, SOC ; Mr Pedro AGRAMUNT, Spain, EPP/CD ; Mr Volodymyr ARIEV, Ukraine, EPP/CD ; Mr Viorel Riceard BADEA, Romania, EPP/CD ; Mr Reha DENEMEÇ, Turkey, EDG ; Mr Arcadio DÍAZ TEJERA, Spain, SOC ; Mr Şaban DİŞLİ, Turkey, EPP/CD ; Ms Tülin ERKAL KARA, Turkey, EDG ; Ms Sevinj FATALIYEVA, Azerbaijan, EDG ; Ms Sahiba GAFAROVA, Azerbaijan, EDG ; Sir Roger GALE, United Kingdom, EDG ; Mr Tamás GAUDI NAGY, Hungary ; Ms Iryna GERASHCHENKO, Ukraine, EPP/CD ; Ms Ingebjørg GODSKESEN, Norway, EDG ; Ms Alina Ștefania GORGHIU, Romania, ALDE ; Mr Rafael HUSEYNOV, Azerbaijan, ALDE ; Mr Fazil MUSTAFA, Azerbaijan, ALDE ; Mr Suat ÖNAL, Turkey, EDG ; Ms Ganira PASHAYEVA, Azerbaijan, EDG ; Mr Ivan POPESCU, Ukraine, SOC ; Mr Volodymyr PYLYPENKO, Ukraine, SOC ; Mr Rovshan RZAYEV, Azerbaijan, EPP/CD ; Mr Ömer SELVİ, Turkey, EDG ; Mr Samad SEYIDOV, Azerbaijan, EDG ; Mr Andriy SHEVCHENKO, Ukraine, EPP/CD ; Mr Serhiy SOBOLEV, Ukraine, EPP/CD ; Mr Tuğrul TÜRKEŞ, Turkey, EDG ; Mr Ahmet Kutalmiş TÜRKEŞ, Turkey, ALDE ; Mr Morten WOLD, Norway, EDG

This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.

The undersigned members of the Parliamentary Assembly express once more their grave concern over the ongoing crisis in Syria which resulted in the death of almost 200,000 innocent people, 6.5 million IDPs and 2.5 million refugees.

Recalling Assembly Resolution 1971 (2014) and Recommendation 2026 (2013), we reiterate our gratitude to the neighbouring countries for their tremendous efforts in hosting and assisting Syrian refugees.

Recognizing that Turkey is one of the most affected countries by the conflict and mobilizing all its capabilities to embrace all Syrians fleeing from Syria, regardless of gender, ethnic and religious background, its efforts should be appreciated.

Turkey has already taken necessary measures with respect to Syrian Armenians residing in Kesab in collaboration with the Armenian Community Leadership in Turkey and informed the relevant UN bodies. Recently, Syrian Armenians have been admitted to Turkey where their basic needs are provided.

We strongly condemn the unfounded and deliberate allegations emanating from some circles with regard to the position of Turkey on the conflict in the Latakia/Kesab region. These allegations are baseless and unacceptable.

Turkey’s commitment to condemn all forms of terrorism is well known and appreciated by the international community.

We encourage Turkey to maintain its efforts and call on the member States to demonstrate shared responsibilities.