Bulgaria Says It Is to Host UN Forum on Syria

Burhan Ghaliou (L), the leader of the exiled opposition Syrian National Council, is accompanied by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov (R), after speaking during a press conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, 02 December 2011. EPA/BGNES

Bulgaria probably will host one of the meetings on the humanitarian aspects of the crisis in Syria in April, being co-organized by the United Nations, Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Nikolay Mladenov has announced.

Mladenov made the announcement Monday in Brussels where he was taking part in a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry reminded that earlier on Monday the EU Foreign Affairs Council tightened the restrictive measures against the Syrian regime and adopted 10 conclusions that further increase the pressure on the regime in Damascus, which Sofia described as "a regime clearly responsible for indiscriminate repression of civilians."

The new sanctions against the Assad regime provide for a halt to the trade in gold, precious metals with the Central Bank of Syria, a ban on cargo aircraft landing at European airports, a freeze on the assets of the Syrian Central Bank in the EU, while seven Syrian ministries associated with violations of human rights are subjected to various types of bans.

"Today's decisions include recognition by the EU of the Syrian National Council as the legal representatives of Syrians, who are fighting for the freedom of their country. This means that the EU is increasing its commitment to, and support for, the Syrian opposition," Bulgaria's Foreign Minister Mladenov said.

He added that the next "Friends of Syria" conference – after the one held in Tunisia last week - would be held in Turkey.

Other issues on the agenda of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday included the situation in Egypt, on the situation in Yemen, relations with the South Caucasus, the Middle East peace process, the EU co-chairmanship of the Mediterranean Union and the results of the London conference on Somalia.

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