Italian marines, Barroso: “Any decision by India may have an impact on relations with EU”

The EC President: “It is necessary find, as a matter of urgency, a mutually satisfactory solution. We oppose the use of the death penalty.”. Letta: “The solidarity of European Institutions is crucial for reaching a positive solution.”

“Any decision on the case” of the Italian marines, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, “may have an impact on overall European Union-India relations and will be assessed carefully” said the European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, in the press conference following his meeting with the Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta in Brussels. Barroso underlined that “the European Union continues to follow the situation very closely” and “encourages India to find, as a matter of urgency, a mutually satisfactory solution,” which has to be “in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.” President Barroso has also stressed that “the European Union is opposed to the use of the death penalty in all cases and under any circumstances.”

The Italian marines are experiencing “a condition we want to end as soon as possible,” said Letta. “We are aware that,” added Letta, “the solidarity of European partners and institutions is crucial for achieving the positive solution we are convicted it is possible to reach and that we want to get as soon as possible.”

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