EU Foreign Ministers cautiously welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire in Idlib on Friday 6 March by the Russian and Turkish Presidents the day before (see EUROPE 12440/15).
“This is good news, at least a sign of good will”, explained the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, upon his arrival at the extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council, while waiting to see how the ceasefire would work. As of Friday, 15 people were reportedly killed in clashes between the regime’s forces and rebels.
In a statement issued at the end of the meeting, the Council, noting the outcome of the Russo-Turkish meeting, reiterated “in the strongest possible terms” its call on all parties “to keep in place an immediate and a sustainable ceasefire, to guarantee the protection of civilians on the ground and from the air and to enable the unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance by the international community”. Mr Borrell said a ceasefire is a “precondition for increased humanitarian assistance”.
The Council calls for an “urgent de-escalation of the conflict in Syria in order to avert a slide into international military confrontation and prevent further suffering”.
While recognising the presence of UN-designated terrorist groups in the region, the Ministers recall that indiscriminate attacks and destruction of civilian infrastructure, including health facilities, schools and camps for displaced persons, by the Syrian regime and its allies can in no way be justified and must cease.
Asked about the establishment of a no-fly zone, as called for by Dutch Minister Stef Blok (see EUROPE 12439/10), Mr Borrell recalled that the question was not about what you want, but what you can do. “Political life is a good balance between your goals and your abilities. If you forget your abilities and only think about your goals, then it’s not political, it’s magic”, he said, adding that the decision was not up to the EU.
Conference on Syria at the end of June in Brussels
Ultimately, the solution to the conflict will be political. The Council therefore urges the Syrian regime to return to the negotiating table. “The EU will actively encourage a renewed and concerted effort by the international community to address the Syrian crisis and pave the way for a political solution”, it added, adding that the EU was addressing the humanitarian situation as a priority. The High Representative announced that the 4th International Conference on Syria would be held on 29 and 30 June in Brussels to bring the international community together to discuss the political process and make new financial pledges.
The EU, for its part, announced €60 million on 4 March for the Idlib region (see EUROPE 12439/10). “Safe, sustained and immediate access to populations in need must continue to be enabled, in full compliance with international humanitarian law”, the Europeans urge. More than one million people, 80% of whom are believed to be women and children, have been displaced by the latest fighting.
The Council also calls for the extension of UN Security Council Resolution 2165 from 2014 on cross-border access. This would “ensure that humanitarian assistance, including medical and surgical supplies, reaches people in need throughout Syria through the most direct routes”.
Do not give in to blackmail
While recognising “increased migratory burden and risks Turkey is facing on its territory and the substantial efforts it has made in hosting 3.7 million migrants and refugees”, the Ministers refuse to give in to blackmail from Ankara and “strongly rejects Turkey’s use of migratory pressure for political purposes”.
Mr Borrell hammered home the point that no attempt should be made to go to the EU’s borders, which are not open. “Encouraging migrants and refugees to try to cross borders illegally is not an acceptable way to push the EU for additional support”, he added.
No additional funding has been announced. “Money shouldn’t be a prerequisite. ‘You give more money, we don’t send the refugees’: that’s not the way to operate in the long run”, explained Latvian Minister Edgar Rinkevics. While Mr Blok said he was open to additional financial support, this should not be done “under the threat that Turkey is currently exerting against us”. €4.7 billion of the €6 billion promised has been allocated, of which €3.2 billion has been disbursed. One European source hoped that the disbursement would reach €4 billion by the end of the year.
Like the Interior Ministers on Wednesday 4 March (see EUROPE 12439/1), the heads of diplomacy gave their support to Greece, which is under “unprecedented” pressure, and to Cyprus, Bulgaria and other countries “which might be similarly affected”. According to Croatian Minister Gordan Radman, his country is facing “increased pressure from Bosnia and Herzegovina”. The Council states that close cooperation will continue with the Western Balkans and calls on Turkey to fully implement the 2016 Declaration.
Describing the situation at the EU’s external border as unacceptable, the Ministers warn that the EU and its Member States will remain committed to the effective protection of the EU’s external borders and that illegal border crossings will not be tolerated. “In this regard, the EU and its Member States will take all necessary measures, in accordance with EU and international law”, the Ministers warn. “We must treat these people as human beings”, said Irish Minister Simon Coveney, calling on the Greek authorities to act with restraint.
See the Ministers’ statement: http://bit.ly/2Tu6XfK (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)