DUBLIN, 4 October 2012 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore, today condemned the mortar attack emanating from within Syria on the Turkish village of Akcakale, on the Turkish-Syrian border, which resulted in the death of five people, and expressed concern about escalating tensions.

“I condemn this deplorable attack and offer my condolences to the families of those killed and to the Turkish people,” he said. “I understand the Syrian authorities have apologized for this attack and have offered to fully investigate it. I urge the Syrian authorities to end all violence and to fully respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all neighbouring countries."

Reiterating the message he delivered at the UN General Assembly last week, the Chairperson added: “It is incumbent upon the international community to redouble its efforts to end the violence, and the suffering of the Syrian people, and to urgently initiate a political process to resolve this conflict.”