April 16, 2018 – President Tajani reiterated that the use of chemical weapons is a red line that cannot be crossed with impunity, at the opening of the session in Strasbourg.
“Today”, said the President, “Parliament must make it loud and clear that the use of chemical weapons is unacceptable and represents a red line that cannot be crossed with impunity. In view of the seriousness of the situation, Parliament must send out a strong message at the beginning of this sitting, even before tomorrow afternoon’s debate with High Representative Mogherini and the debate tomorrow morning with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron.
The dramatic situation must dispel any doubts about the need and urgency of building an increasingly incisive common foreign and defence policy. The current debate on the next budget is an essential test of our willingness to provide ourselves with the resources needed to be a real global player.”
Leaders of political groups intervened, condemning the use of chemical weapons. Most expressed support for the US, French and British military strikes in order to stop the Assad regime’s “war crimes”, whilst some criticised the military for operating without an international mandate. De-escalation and peace talks involving all actors and led by the UN must start as soon as possible, they said.
President Tajani will share the details of this debate with French President Macron before he takes the floor at the debate tomorrow.