EU calls for ceasefire in Syria, promises humanitarian assistance

The European Union has called for a ceasefire in northwest Syria and the opening of a humanitarian corridor as Syrian forces invade the stronghold of Idlib.

Reacting to the situation in Syria, EU’s diplomatic chief, Josep Borrell, stated that there must be an end to the series of bombings and other attacks on civilians in northwest Syria.

In a joint statement with European Emergency Response Coordinator Janez Lenarcic, Borrell called for unimpeded humanitarian access to people in need of assistance as well the respect of humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.

The EU expressed his readiness to provide humanitarian assistance in the face of extraordinary human suffering confronting the Syrians.

It was reported that Atmeh centre, a tent city, is now unbearably crowded as people have no infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Turkey on Thursday urged Russia to press for an end to the Syrian government offensive in Idlib.

“We expect Russia to stop the regime as soon as possible,” Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in the Azerbaijani capital Baku.

Cavusoglu said Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin could meet if needed.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also said there were no plans currently for Putin and Erdogan to meet, but that such a meeting could be quickly organised if needed.

The conflict in Syria has killed more than 380,000 people since 2011 and has driven more than half of the pre-war population of more than 20 million people into exile