On Tuesday 10 January, the EU welcomed the decision taken the previous day by the UN Security Council to extend by 6 months, until 10 July 2023, the authorisation for the UN to use the Bab al-Hawa crossing point between Turkey and Syria for humanitarian deliveries (see EUROPE 12992/23).
“The uninterrupted delivery of UN cross-border humanitarian assistance remains vital for 4.1 million Syrians living in north-western Syria, including 2.8 million internally displaced. Their lives depend on this humanitarian assistance. Monday’s decision is therefore very good news for the people of Syria”, stressed High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič in a joint statement.
They stress that “the use of Bab al-Hawa crossing point is a humanitarian imperative to preserve the functioning of a critical humanitarian lifeline for millions of Syrians”.
Mr Borrell and Mr Lenarčič said that the EU will continue to advocate with all parties to depoliticise the situation and allow for the unimpeded and continued delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need. Similarly, the statement adds, “The EU will continue to support the delivery of reliable, impartial humanitarian aid, in line with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)