TIRANA, Albania, 4 October 2012 – President Riccardo Migliori (MP, Italy) released the following statement today regarding violence between Syria and Turkey:

"I strongly condemn the killings of Turkish civilians – lives that Syria's official apology can never bring back. All sides should end their shootings and shellings and recognize that only genuine dialogue can bring about peace in Syria and the wider region.

The situation in Syria demands an international response. Silence from world leaders is a tacit allowance for the continued crushing of freedom and lives in Syria.

As my colleagues in the Council of Europe have noted, the international community thus far has shown 'relative silence and inaction' as more than 8,000 Syrians have been killed by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's crimes against humanity.

Countries, including the OSCE participating State of Turkey, are to be applauded for their humanitarian work in receiving refugees from Syria. But this crisis cannot be allowed to go on forever."