File Photo: A Turkish military tank is seen at a security checkpoint in Afrin city, Syria, on March 20, 2018. (Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- European Union members on the UN Security Council on Wednesday asked the political actors in Syria, particularly the government, to work for an early convening of a constitutional committee.

"We call on all parties, but specifically Damascus, to constructively engage with the (UN) special envoy with the aim of, as quickly as possible and without any further delays, convening a credible and inclusive constitutional committee," read a statement of the EU members on the council.

The statement was endorsed by Britain, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland -- the current EU members of the Security Council -- and Belgium, Germany and Italy.

Belgium and Germany will become council members next year. Italy split a two-year council term with the Netherlands.

The EU countries called on Russia, Iran and Turkey -- the so-called Astana guarantors -- to ensure that the current cease-fire in Idlib province is upheld. They asked for a comprehensive nationwide cease-fire and for safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access throughout the country.

"We fully believe that the Idlib cease-fire agreement should be an opportunity for the urgent resumption of the UN-led political process in Geneva," said the statement, read to reporters by Swedish ambassador Olof Skoog.

The EU countries expressed their full support for the efforts of UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura to establish urgently a credible and legitimate constitutional committee to advance the United Nations' efforts to achieve a sustainable political solution to the conflict in Syria.

"We underscore the special envoy's authority to establish an inclusive constitutional committee, including the participation of a minimum of 30 percent women, that will begin the work of drafting a new Syrian constitution and laying the ground work for free and fair UN-supervised elections consistent with Security Council Resolution 2254."

De Mistura briefed the Security Council on the situation in Syria on Wednesday morning.