The Left group in the European Parliament urges an immediate end to arms exports to Turkey after EU Foreign Affairs Council failed to take decisive action at their meeting this morning in Luxembourg.

Member states reiterated a condemnation of Turkey’s assault on Kurds in Syria but earlier calls have failed to stop the military action, which saw 100,000 civilians fleeing their homes, reports of summary executions and a growing death toll.

Germany and France announced they are halting exports of arms to Turkey but military relations with the EU go deeper and a common EU response is needed.

“A further escalation in northern Syria must be prevented at all costs,” said GUE/NGL co-President Martin Schirdewan (DIE LINKE, Germany). “The decision of the Council to review military ties with Turkey doesn´t go far enough. We need an immediate and complete halt of arms transfers. Turkey’s attack on Kurds violates international law. Its troops must leave Syria immediately.”

Meanwhile GUE/NGL co-President Manon Aubry (France Insoumise, France) called out the US President’s doublespeak:

“Trump’s betrayal of the Kurds has put the lives of thousands of civilians at risk. The EU must use its influence to stop the Turkish attack and preserve peace in the region.”