Following the adoption of the resolution on the situation in Syria, S&D MEP and vice-president for foreign affairs, Victor Boştinaru, said:

"At the initiative of the S&Ds and with the support of all the other main groups, the Parliament adopted today a Resolution that emphasises the need to ensure that all those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria will be prosecuted by an appropriate impartial criminal justice.

"We call on all the actors involved in this conflict, to allow an immediate cessation of hostilities that could pave the way for the resumption of negotiations and ensure that humanitarian assistance is reaching all people in need throughout Syria.

"We condemn in the strongest terms the widespread violations of human rights, international humanitarian law and the deliberate continuous targeting of civilians, humanitarian workers and medical facilities by the Assad regime with the support of Russia and Iran in Aleppo, as well as the atrocities committed by Isis/Daesh and other UN - designated terrorist groups.

"Thus, we are highly concerned about Russia heavily reinforcing its military navy in the Eastern Mediterranean and the renewal of large-scale airstrikes on Aleppo. This will only bring further deaths and suffering to the Syrian people. We cannot continue to ignore this tragedy!

"Therefore we reiterate our call on the HR/VP Federica Mogherini, the member states, and the international community to use all the diplomatic tools and pressure necessary to put an end to the Russian-backed Syrian regime attacks on Aleppo. Moreover, it is vital for us to establish the important role that the EU can and should play in post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation."