77 ELN Members Warn of Growing Risk of Interstate War in the Middle East

Publisher
Series Title
Series Details 27.05.16
Publication Date 27/05/2016
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77 senior political, military and diplomatic figures from across Europe, including from Russia, expressed their concern in May 2016 over an inter-state conflict over Syria and support measures to fight ISIS whilst bringing the Syrian conflict to a close.

The group endorsed the key recommendations from a May 2016 paper from the Task Force on Cooperation in Greater Europe.

This Task Force paper stipulated that:

+ Syria conflict has become a proxy war with multiple actors and differing objectives. As such, there is a danger that an accident, military incident or an unauthorised action could spark a direct military confrontation between the external states involved (including Russia, the United States, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UK) in the absence of effective communication channels.

+ The group called on all states involved to avoid any actions that may be misinterpreted as a direct attack on other state’s forces, operating in the vicinity of Syria and inside the country (air forces, Special Forces, advisors, etc.). In particular, they appealed for the lessening of tensions between Turkey and Russia and urge the political leadership in both countries to work towards reconciliation.

The paper brought forward three recommendations:

+ Avoiding an inter-state conflict over Syria
+ Re-focusing on fighting ISIS and preventing its re-emergence
+ Bringing the Syrian conflict to a close

Source Link http://www.europeanleadershipnetwork.org/76-eln-members-warn-of-growing-risk-of-interstate-war-in-the-middle-east_3793.html
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on the EU regional strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Da'esh threat http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-the-eu-regional-strategy-for-syria-and-iraq-as-well-as-the-daesh-threat/
ESO: Background information: Doorstep remarks by HR/VP Federica Mogherini at the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) meeting in Vienna http://www.europeansources.info/record/doorstep-remarks-by-hr-vp-federica-mogherini-at-the-international-syria-support-group-issg-meeting-in-vienna/

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