The European Union welcomes the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly, for the establishment of a new mechanism dedicated to clarify the fate and whereabouts of missing people in Syria; and to provide crucial support to meet the needs of the victims, survivors, and families of those missing.

Syria has one of the highest numbers of detained, abducted, and missing persons in the world due to the current conflict. The new mechanism will address a basic humanitarian imperative on behalf all those people.  The European Union stands ready to support the new mechanism once all preparations will be finalised.

The European Union continues to call for a sustainable and credible solution to the Syrian conflict, through a genuine, inclusive political transition in line with United Nations Security Council resolution 2254, and reiterates its support for the work of UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen.