Brussels, 14/10/2015 (Agence Europe) - At the dinner of the European Council, on Thursday 15 October, the European heads of state or government will discuss Syria, the country at the heart of the external dimension of the migration challenge facing the EU (for Turkey, see other article).
The member states may reiterate their willingness to step up their participation in the trust funds for Syria and for Africa, and for humanitarian aid, as agreed at the summit of 23 September (see EUROPE 11395). Serious efforts will have to be made in this field, because for the time being, the announced contributions are laughable. “It is time the member states responded to their commitments”, the Vice-President of the Commission, Frans Timmermans, said on Wednesday 14 October, referring to the gap between the target set by the European Council and what is on the table. “Promises are not enough, we need action”, said the President of the European institution, Jean-Claude Juncker, addressing the European Parliament. When the fund for Syria was set up in May, Italy and Germany pledged a contribution of €3 million and €5 million respectively (see EUROPE 11324). Since then, no member state has announced any further contributions. For the trust fund for Africa, only Spain, Germany and Luxembourg have pledged €3 million each, as things stand. Ten member states (Germany, Cyprus, Spain, Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Latvia, Poland, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom) have pledged €270 million for humanitarian aid, whilst the European budget is making €500 million available.
As regards the analysis of the situation on the ground, the European leaders will seek to reach a common position. “We are forced to start again virtually from scratch, as there are still differences of opinion on the assessment of the Russian attitude and nuances on the role of Assad and of the EU in a possible process”, a source from one of the member states explained. Draft conclusions refer to the concerns of the member states regarding Russian strikes and reiterate the EU's commitment to finding a political solution. As the 'Foreign Affairs' Council did on Monday 12 October (see EUROPE 11408), the European Council is also expected to stress that “there can be no lasting peace in Syria under the current leadership and until the legitimate demands and aspirations of all elements of Syrian society have been addressed”, stressing that the Bashar al-Assad regime bears “the greatest responsibility” for the 250,000 dead and millions of displaced persons. (see EUROPE 11408).
Libya. The leaders may welcome the announcement of the United Nations regarding the formation of a government of national accord in Libya (see EUROPE 11407) and: the parties to approve it rapidly. They may reiterate the political and financial support the EU may provide this government with, once it is in place.
Germany and France will report back on their recent meeting with Ukrainian and Russian presidents on the implementation of the Minsk agreements (see EUROPE 11403). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with MB, JK, EL and SP)