EU foreign policy chief Ashton urges Syria to comply, UN Security Council to take responsibility.

EU foreign policy chief Ashton urges Syria to comply, UN Security Council to take responsibility.(HD).

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on Sept. 11 urged Syria to "fully" follow up on a pledge to give up chemical weapons and the U.N. Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities.

"I have consistently emphasised the need to continue efforts in the Security Council," Ashton told members of the European Parliament.

Most European Union nations have consistently opposed calls by Britain and France to join U.S.-led military strikes against President Bashar al-Assad, calling instead for a political solution and a U.N. role.

"The role of the Security Council is crucial and irreplaceable," Ashton said. "It is regrettable that the Council has been unable to reach agreement on how to shoulder its responsibilities with regard to the Syrian conflict." Speaking during a debate on Syria in the 751-member parliament, Ashton said it was vital to seize the momentum created by Russia's proposal to place Syria's chemical weapons arsenal under control and eventually destroy it.
"However we need to proceed with prudence and examine these developments," she said. "First and foremost the Syrian regime must agree to such an international action fully and without conditions." She also reiterated the EU stand that there was "no military solution" to the protracted conflict that began in March 2011, costing more than 110,000 lives.

Efforts to hold a peace conference, known as Geneva II, "must move ahead as soon as conditions permit," she said.