Speaker, the lifting of the arms embargo against the Syrian rebels by the European Union must not only be criticised but viewed in the context of the foreign policy by the continent as well. Just after Russia and the United State have agreed that talks are the best option to resolve the conflict in Syria, the EU is taking the opposite direction and fanning the flames of conflict while others are dousing them.
The Libyan experience, over and above the Iraqi and Afghan experience, has highlighted profound lessons on how to resolve and not to resolve political conflict in any society.
The position of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, Brics, on political problems and conflict is abundantly clear: political solutions through nonmilitary means.
The ANC insists on the principle of allowing citizens of conflict-ridden and crisis-prone countries the opportunity to own solutions to their problems as an important condition for lasting peace and one that must anchor the mediation efforts.
As the governing party, the ANC will continue to propagate internationalism, including the commitment to a peaceful resolution of conflict as a principle underlying its role in international affairs. [Applause.]