Today Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament strongly condemned the crimes committed by the extremist terrorist organisation Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS), including the mass executions of members of the Iraqi security forces.
 
They also called on the international community to take the opportunity of the nuclear talks between the European Union, the United States and Iran, due to be held in Vienna tomorrow, to take common action to ensure security in the Middle East.
 
The S&D spokesperson on foreign affairs, Euro MP Ana Gomes, said:
 
“The ISIS gaining a territorial foothold in Iraq and Syria is a direct terrorist and strategic threat to the region and the world: it cannot be accepted that a state based on extremist ideology and massive violations of human rights is carved out of Syria and Iraq. The ISIS advances are linked to the stalemate in Syria and must be stopped and reversed by a coalition of Iraqi, regional and global forces interested in safeguarding the stability of the region.
 
“We take note of the offer made by the President of Iran Hassan Rouhani of possible cooperation with the US in countering the ISIS threat. We strongly encourage the EU, the US and Iran to set aside their differences in other matters and to fully commit to cooperate with each other against the ISIS.
 
“We insist that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) should take firm measures to track down and prevent private donations to extremist organisations by their citizens.
 
“The multiple crises in the Middle East, such as the disintegration of Syria and Iraq, sectarian strife between Sunnis and Shias, regional rivalries and proxy wars between different states can only be resolved in the framework of an inclusive regional security system that respects the legitimate security interests of all states.
 
“While stopping and reversing the gains of the extremists is the top priority now, the underlying reasons for the disaffection of many Iraqis of the Sunni branch of Islam should be addressed. We should encourage the Iraqi government to abandon its narrowly sectarian outlook and adopt an inclusive, pluralistic approach that respects the ethnic, political and religious diversity of Iraqi society.”