07/09/2012 13:11
EU FM to discuss issues concerning Syria
EU foreign ministers gather in Cyprus some 100 kilometres from the Syrian coast Friday to explore how to best assist its opposition while defusing a humanitarian crisis looming in Europe's backyard.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has put Syria top of the agenda for two days of informal talks starting around 0930 GMT, the first meeting of EU foreign ministers since the summer break.
The talks, which will also address deepening worry over Iran's nuclear programme, come amid increasing concern over mounting violence between the opposition and President Bashar al-Assad's regime that last month alone sent a record 100,000 people fleeing across the borders.