Romania Ready To Evacuate 15,000 People From Syria

"There are around 15,000 Romanians [in Syria], including Syrian citizens, because there are many mixed families," Baconschi explained.

He has asked the Romanian ambassador to Damascus to work with officials of other EU member states and prepare a coordinated plan for evacuation.

"We are focusing on what is going on there and we must support the opposition, to allow it to get organized," said Baconschi.

He added that Romania regrets the huge number of deaths in the clashes between security forces and protesters.

"The Syrian authorities have become isolated and must act more responsibly, so that their reforms may be implemented. (…) The current Syrian administration has wagered its fate on these reforms. There is a clash between the voice of the street, diffused and confused, and repressive forces of unacceptable brutality," said the minister.

He believes "the international community's firm message to Syria must be made stronger; financial sanctions and an embargo on the administration are needed, to make it understand there is no alternative."

On August 5, the Foreign Ministry announced that around 4,500 Romanians were registered as living in Syria. Despite the violence and the ministry's recommendations, none of them had asked the Romanian authorities for assistance in leaving the country.

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