The United Nations and the European Union have stressed the urgency of a political solution in Syria in the wake of Tuesday’s terrorist attacks in Belgium. De Mistura was addressing reporters at a joint press conference with the EU foreign policy chief in Geneva. He urged all parties to focus on a political solution. Federica Mogherini, for her part, said she expects participants in Syria talks to enter into political process without delays. The indirect Geneva talks are now in their second week. A second round has been tentatively scheduled for next month. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter says the recent attacks in Brussels show Europe needs to step up efforts to defeat Daesh in Iraq and Syria. Multiple terrorist attacks in Europe over the past year were carried out by terrorists who were recruited by Daesh in Syria and Iraq or were inspired by them.