Erika Ferrer, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Division of the European External Action Service (EEAS), said on Wednesday 23 January that it would be appropriate and ineffective for the EU to normalise relations with the Syrian regime.
"Without any sign of change in the Syrian regime, normalisation would be inappropriate and even ineffective in changing the regime's behaviour", she explained during a hearing at the European Parliament. Several Arab countries have normalised their relations with Syria, and the Arab League could reintegrate Damascus as early as March.
"Given the situation on the ground, the EU's position on refugee return, reconstruction and normalisation is likely to be even more contested than before; therefore, the EU must be strong and united on [Security Council] Resolution 2254 [on the peace plan] and not abandon its role as an incentive", she explained.
According to Mrs Ferrer, the Brussels 3 Conference, to be held from 12 to 14 March, "must be an opportunity to reaffirm European policy in Syria and say why the time has not yet come to make concessions to the regime". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)