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EU to state in Luxemburg that those behind events in Aleppo won’t go unpunished — source

According to a diplomatic source, the ministers intend to show that the EU unanimously condemns military escalation

BRUSSELS, October 13./TASS/. The foreign ministers of the 28 European Union member-countries will announce during a meeting in Luxembourg on October 17 that those responsible for the situation in Aleppo will not escape punishment, a high-ranking EU representative told reporters on Thursday.

"A clear signal will be sent indicating that those responsible for the situation in Aleppo will not go unpunished," he said, adding that the ministers are likely to adopt a final document on Syria.

According to the diplomat, the ministers intend to show that "the EU unanimously condemns military escalation, especially in Aleppo, after an agreement on cessation of hostilities brokered by the US and Russia was violated." "This will be reflected in the Council’s conclusions, which are currently discussed by the member-countries," he said.

The diplomat also noted that Brussels maintains permanent contacts with all international and regional players and is prepared to carry on a dialogue with all parties to the Syrian conflict, but not with the Jabhat al-Nusra (terrorist group outlawed in Russia). "We are ready to communicate with everyone. However, Jabhat al-Nusra is a terrorist group, so the answer here is no," he said.

Answering reporters’ questions, the diplomat also said that the introduction of a no-fly zone over Syria requires a UN Security Council resolution, and this is difficult. "This idea (of imposing a no-fly zone) has been proposed over and over again, but the problem is that a UN Security Council resolution is required for its implementation. And here difficulties begin," he said.