The recognition of the Syrian opposition, a dilemma for Europe

(BRUSSELS2, opinion) With Syria, the European Union finds itself in the same dilemmas it had faced with Libya. How to deal with a constituted opposition facing a power that we do not support? And Europe finds itself faced with a contradiction here. She maintained, stubbornly, that the opposition had to unite, that she called for this union of her wishes, that it was one of the conditions of the political process. Now that this step has been taken, not without difficulty, it stalls. With a pseudo legal-political quibble: "It is up to the States to take a position, not the European Union". A position reminiscent of that taken during the formation of the Libyan government."We only recognize states, not political movements.".

The sissy danger

All is fair, no doubt, from the point of view of the legal aesthete. It is a political fault. There is a great danger of seeing in Europe nothing but a wet puddle which is alarmed, condemns, regrets regularly; but as soon as it is a question of advancing, of positioning itself, it takes refuge prudently behind the Member States. This is wise in terms of domestic politics; it is limited in terms of ambition. One day, we will have to get out of this mechanism. If we support an opposition movement, if we believe that Bashar's regime is not the right one, we must cross the threshold of recognition.

Possibilities exist

There are multiple possibilities to recognize an opposition - contrary to what some claim - and this in a very gradual way. An official, and therefore public, reception of the representative of the coalition by a director or directly by the High Representative, with the organization of a VIP Corner, constitutes a notable political gesture. Reception at a council of ministers or a press conference can also be. There is no shortage of diplomatic tricks in this area to make recognition without recognition...