site.btaForeign Minister Zaharieva: Political Settlement of Syrian Conflict is Only Possible One

Luxembourg, April 16 (BTA) - Syria, Russia, Iran and the Western Balkans topped the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Luxembourg on Monday. Bulgaria was represented by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva, her Ministry said.

Zaharieva told the chief diplomats that a political settlement of the Syrian conflict is the only possible one and that they should work together towards the resumption of the Geneva process. The EU will not invest resources in Syria's reconstruction before the political process starts. The foreign ministers reaffirmed the EU's position that there cannot be a military solution to the conflict.

Speaking on behalf of Bulgaria, Zaharieva condemned the use of chemical weapons in the strongest terms.

The ministers strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime. They concurred that the limited and targeted air strikes launched by the US, France and the UK were intended solely to prevent more chemical attacks.

Asked by a reporter if Russia would settle for dialogue, Zaharieva said the EU would use its entire clout towards a resolution of the UN Security Council to renew the Joint Investigative Mechanism on Chemical Weapons Use in Syria of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the UN. In this sense, political dialogue is impossible without Russia's involvement.

Zaharieva confirmed Bulgaria's participation in the second Brussels Conference on the future of Syria on April 24-25, co-chaired by the EU and the UN.

The Bulgarian Foreign Minister briefed her counterparts on the preparations of the EU-Western Balkans Summit, which will take place in Sofia on May 17. She told reporters that many ministers expressed a strong support for the priorities of the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency and stated that the next holders of the EU Presidency would continue working on the Western Balkans priority.