Brussels, May 9 (IANS): The European Union (EU) has expressed satisfaction with the US and Russia's joint call for an international conference on Syria to end the escalating crisis in that country.
"The EU would welcome any dialogue that would bring two sides to the negotiating table," reported Xinhua Wednesday citing Michael Mann, spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
"The EU has repeated on many occasions that the solution of the conflict lies in a comprehensive political settlement," he added.
He said the EU "stands ready to assist in any way possible and hopes that the conference will be a beginning of a peace process".
Having held talks with Russian officials, US Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday the two had agreed to convene an international conference on Syria.
It would be attended by representatives of the Syrian regime and the opposition, he added.