Brussels, 17/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On 16 March, the EU Foreign Affairs Council adopted the regional strategy for Syria and Iraq, as well as for countering the threat of Islamic State (IS). The strategy was presented by the European Commission on 6 February (see EUROPE 11248).
In their conclusions, the European foreign ministers announce that the Council will work with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission for a “planned, swift and coordinated” implementation of this strategy - including through the exchange of good practice and information. They will monitor implementation of the strategy “including through six monthly reports”.
The Council “will make every effort to mobilise adequate assistance at bilateral level in addition to the €1 billion assistance package from the EU budget, in order to provide a substantial collective response for the implementation of the strategy”, the EU foreign ministers state. The also say that in the implementation of the strategy, the EU will focus its efforts on policy areas in which it has an added value in relation to the activities of the member states.
The ministers reiterate that the EU remains committed to achieving lasting peace, stability and security in Syria, Iraq and the wider region, as well as to countering the IS threat. An inclusive political transition in Syria and inclusive political governance in Iraq are crucial to sustainable peace and stability in the region, the ministers state. They add that the EU will continue to support the role of the UN special envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, and the efforts of the Iraqi government to achieve these objectives.
Condemning “unreservedly” the indiscriminate attacks, atrocities, killings and abuses of human rights which are perpetrated by IS and other terrorist groups, the Council underlines that the fight against these groups must be conducted alongside the search for lasting political solutions. “The EU will use all its relevant tools to tackle the threat posed by IS and its violent ideology”, the ministers warn.
While the EU supports efforts by the global coalition to counter IS, “including military action”, it recalls that military action in this context is necessary but not sufficient to defeat IS. The EU will therefore coordinate closely with international partners in the framework of the global coalition's working groups on stabilisation, strategic counter-messaging, foreign terrorist fighters, countering terrorist financing and military action. The EU calls on all the states to comply with the UN Security Council resolutions to ensure that no funds, other financial assets or economic resources are made available, directly or indirectly, by their nationals or by persons within their territory for the benefit of IS, Al-Qaeda or affiliated groups. The EU foreign ministers again state that al-Assad's Syrian regime is not a partner in the fight against IS.
The Council states that humanitarian aid and longer term assistance will remain important pillars of the EU's response to the consequences of the crisis. It stipulates that humanitarian aid will remain strictly separate from, and not subordinated to, other strands of EU actions. (Camille-Cerise Gessant)