“The increasingly critical situation in Syria requires a thorough examination of all political and diplomatic instruments at the disposal of the international community for its resolution. In the first place, we believe that all remaining possibilities for negotiation should be urgently explored, along the lines of what was begun in Geneva; this approach, if successful, would have deeper effects both for internal stability, and for relations between the countries of the Middle East. In the second place, the investigation into who was  responsible for the use of chemical weapons must be carried out with the rigor appropriate to the  seriousness of the offense, in the most transparent manner, by independent organs with full empowerment and effective access under the UN mandate. In any case, there must be no intervention without a specific mandate of the UN. Any initiative outside this framework cannot be considered legitimate. Besides, any intervention which is not accompanied by a comprehensive strategy based on national reconciliation, transitional justice, and political and institutional reconstruction, agreed by all the agents involved internally and internationally, would be contradictory and counterproductive. It is precisely the complexity of the Syrian crisis that reinforces the necessity of a regional agreement on the resolution of disputes and tensions before they become serious conflicts. This process has to be encouraged and supported in all possible ways, in every political and diplomatic institution. The development of peaceful and constructive relations in the entire area of the Mediterranean and the Middle East that foster inter-independent paths of fair, pluralist and balanced growth for the peoples of the region  demands a responsible approach to the bilateral and multilateral relations of these countries involving all governments, societies and citizens. We therefore address a strong appeal to all bodies of  the international community and to all parties involved   to do everything possible – with urgency and with full awareness of the consequences of their actions  – to ensure a  just and lasting peace.