B2 The Daily of Geopolitical Europe. News. Files. Reflections. Reports

News BlogGulf Middle East

Syria: support the UN, sanction but leave a door open

(BRUSSELS2) The European Union is in the hot seat for its action in Syria. The recent debate in the European Parliament has shown this. And the High Representative for Foreign Affairs defended the action taken. Several MEPs underlined the difficulties of the situation. José Ignacio Salafranca Sanchez-Neyra (People's Party, Spain) remarked that it was a "game" complex, where it was necessary to take into account Saudi Arabia and Iran which "seek to exert their influence", Egypt "and its role in the entire Arab Spring", the electoral campaign in the United States, but also of course China and Russia. Belgian socialist Véronique de Keyser insisted on this complexity while declaring that Annan's plan was the only solution. Finally, the deputy German green Franziska Brantner called for stricter enforcement of the arms embargo, referring to Cypriot and German boats carrying weapons to Syria.

Unconditional support for the UN

Catherine Ashton first recalled her unconditional support for Kofi Annan's 6-point plan, which "is not optional". She recalled that "the EU and the Member States are ready to provide all necessary support to the observation mission" of the UN. A "Situation Room" with the States of the Arab League has thus been created "to improve communications"And"we provide training to develop their analysis and ability to respond to crisis situations". She then reviewed the various trading instruments in place.

Support for refugees

Support for neighboring countries is important and Catherine Ashton commends Turkey for providing a response"fast and professional" to the 25 Syrian refugees on its territory. She claimed to have met with the Crisis Platform, which brings together "all relevant EEAS and Commission services" (*). In addition, she stated that she was working closely with each Member State in order to obtain "a coordinated EU response".

Sanction

There too, she referred to the sanctions against the regime: "the last wave of sanctions was accepted at the Foreign Affairs Council on March 23 and we are working on a new wave". Furthermore, all cooperation with the Syrian government has been cut off, while maintaining humanitarian aid and support for students, the opposition and human rights defenders.

... But leave open the delegation to Damascus

Finally, it is necessary to keep the EU delegation in Damascus open, "as long as the security situation allows". It is a question of being on the spot to be better informed of the situation, of being close to the population as well as of allowing the Member States which have suspended the activities of their embassies to maintain a certain contact. (Spain, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands) Catherine Ashton ended her intervention by encouraging the Syrian opposition to develop a "common vision on the future of Syria" which would include all Syrians without distinction.

(*) (ECHO (DG Humanitarian Aid), DEVCO (DG Development), CMPD (Crisis Management and Planning Department), Crisis Coordinator, CPCC (Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability), EUMS (EU Staff) and the network of delegations)

B2 Writing

© B2 - Bruxelles2 is a French online media that focuses on political Europe (powers, defence, foreign policy, internal security). It follows and analyzes developments in European policy, unvarnished and without concessions. Approved by the CPPAP. Member of SPIIL. Please quote "B2" or "Bruxelles2" in case of recovery

s2Member®