Luxembourg, 24/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 24 June, the European Commission adopted the joint communication of the Commission and High Representative of the European Union - “Towards a comprehensive approach to the Syrian crisis”. The communication also addresses the consequences of the crisis in the neighbouring countries. In this 16-page document, which comes more than two years after the start of the conflict, the EU returns to what it is doing and what more it can do. Four objectives are highlighted - supporting a political solution which can bring a sustainable solution to the crisis; preventing regional destabilisation with spill-over of the conflict into the neighbouring countries; addressing the “dramatic” humanitarian situation and helping the populations affected; and addressing the consequences of the conflict on, and in, the EU.
Reiterating the importance of finding a political solution “which guarantees an end to the violence and leads to an inclusive transitional government”, the EU wants to support a political settlement through a solid EU position and a significant contribution to the Geneva II conference. The EU should work together with the opposition so that it might participate in this conference and be represented by legitimate negotiators who can take commitments, and the EU should continue its commitments with the Syrian national coalition and encourage it towards more inclusivity and respect for human rights, the communication states. In the view of the communication, the EU must continue its diplomatic commitment with the members of the WTO Security Council, and the key countries of the two parties to the conflict. The communication underlines that “the role of Iran as part of the political and military equation will have to be acknowledged and addressed”.
In order to help the Syrian population, the Commission emphasises the need to encourage solidarity with particularly vulnerable people who could need resettlement. The Commission calls on the member states to respond positively to its call for the humanitarian admission of 10,000 Syrian refugees and for the resettlement of a further 2,000 Syrian nationals. The Commission wants the 27 EU member states to adopt a “generous attitude” regarding the granting of humanitarian visas to displaced persons who have family in the EU, and to admit any Syrian arriving at the external borders of the EU.
The EU wants to prevent the radicalisation of EU citizens and to deal with European “foreign fighters”, who have travelled to the conflict zone.
The EU also wants to continue its work to ensure the access of humanitarian aid to all areas affected by the conflict, and to increase financial aid from the European budget by €400 million in 2013 in humanitarian and non-humanitarian assistance to Syria, and also to Lebanon and Jordan, in order to support them and strengthen their capacity to deal with the Syrian refugees.
The EU will continue to urge the United Nations to deal with the allegations of violations of human rights, international humanitarian law and fundamental freedoms. The EU will also continue its calls to the Syrian authorities to cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry and to bring it about that the UN inspectors might investigate the allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Syria.
Lastly, the EU wants to prepare for post-conflict rebuilding and the rehabilitation phase, with commitment in the areas of peace and security, the elections, justice and the rule of law and humanitarian affairs.
Elsewhere, Syria was on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council on 24 June. (CG/transl.fl)