EU to condemn downing of Turkish jet

Dutch foreign minister says Syria’s actions were serious, but military intervention would not be supported

LUXEMBOURG (AP) — EU foreign ministers on Monday condemned Syria’s downing of a Turkish jet, but said the bloc will not support military action in the troubled country.

“What happened is to be considered very seriously (but) we do not go for any interventions,” Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also urged calm. “I think it is still important that we continue to work on a political solution (to the Syrian crisis),” Westerwelle said as he arrived for a regular meeting of EU ministers. “De-escalation is crucial at this moment.”

Turkey has said the jet mistakenly strayed into Syrian airspace Friday, but was quickly warned to leave by Turkish authorities and was a mile (1.6 kilometers) inside international airspace when it was shot down.

Syria said it was unaware that the F-4 Phantom belonged to Turkey and that it was protecting its air space against an unknown intruder.

Ankara has called a meeting of NATO’s governing body on Tuesday to discuss the incident. Any ally can request such consultations if they feel their territorial integrity or security has been threatened.

The North Atlantic Council — which includes ambassadors of the 28 NATO countries — works by consensus and all members must approve any action.

A NATO official said the Turkish representative will inform his colleagues of what happened. The envoys were expected to discuss Turkey’s concerns but would not decide on anything specific, said the official who could not be named under standing rules.

“This is an episode that illustrates how the Syrian crisis is escalating … and how important it is to find a resolution to the violence,” Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said.

EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said the bloc will add another Syrian official and six firms and government institutions to its sanctions list Monday. The list already includes over 120 individuals and nearly 50 institutions.

Syrian official says there is no hostility toward Turkey

BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said his country had “no hostility” toward Turkey as tensions soar between the former allies three days after Syria shot down a Turkish plane.

Jihad Makdissi said on Monday that the Turkish plane violated Syrian air space. Turkey said the plane had unintentionally strayed into Syria’s air space, but was inside international airspace when it was brought down.

Makdissi said the search was still under way for two missing Turkish airmen who were on the plane.

Syria’s 15-month-old uprising has destroyed once-strong ties between the countries. Turkey is now one of the most outspoken critics of the Syrian regime.

Both sides appear to be trying to ease tensions over the downed plane. But Monday’s news conference suggested that Syria did not want to be blamed.