Dublin, 25/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 22 March, the French and British seemed to have softened their position on the lifting, or broad amendment, of the arms embargo in Syria, leaving themselves until the end of May and the revision of sanctions to take a decision. “We have two months before the end of the sanctions review”, British Foreign Secretary William Hague stated after the first day of the informal Foreign Affairs Council. What will happen (in terms of the sanctions) depends on what will happen on the ground, he said. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius added that the date for an agreement is “the date of the end of May and there are discussions which must continue”. A European source said that during the discussions no member state had threatened to act alone.
No visible progress. Although France and the United Kingdom were supported by Hungary and Slovenia, most member states remain sceptical about the idea of lifting or relaxing the embargo. “We remain with what we decided until 1 June. We haven't changed in substance”, said Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn. “I don't see a majority for changing the issue of the embargo”, said Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger, stating, just like his Irish counterpart, Eamon Gilmore, that he does not “see how we can have guarantees in a conflict to avoid arms being used by others (than those for whom they were initially intended)”. “I haven't heard guarantees being spoken about (by Fabius). No”, he added. During the European Council on 15 March, French President François Hollande had ensured guarantees.
Political solution and relaxing economic sanctions? All member states agree on the need for a political solution. “The EU is united in the need to find a political solution”, said High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton. “No one wants a military solution but everyone wants a political solution. The question is how to get there”, said Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.
“All options are on the table”, and all the sanctions must be reviewed, said Gilmore. The EU is therefore looking at how to increase its assistance to the “moderate” Syrian opposition, “in particular through political and economic support”, Ashton said. Some member states, such as Germany, would like the economic sanctions to be partly lifted in the areas controlled by the opposition. “The EU is determined to increase pressure on the Syrian regime to participate in a meaningful political process in line with the Geneva Communiqué”, Ashton added.
The EU discussions on sanctions will continue in the working groups and also at the Foreign Affairs Councils on 22 April and 27 May.
On 23 March, Ashton strongly condemned the suicide bombing in the Al-Mazraa mosque in Damascus on 21 March, describing the act as “heinous”. “I am appalled by the deteriorating situation in Syria and the unacceptable level of violence”, she said, stating that the EU has repeatedly condemned all attacks, especially when they indiscriminately target innocent civilians. Forty-nine people, including the Sunni religious cleric Mohammed Saïd al-Buti, who was pro-regime, were killed in the bombing. Numerous people were wounded. (CG/transl.fl)