On Tuesday 10 December, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, called for the unity of the international community on Syria.
“The international community must work together to support Syria”, she stressed at a hearing before the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, adding that she had already held talks with ministers from the region and that the leaders of the G7 countries would be discussing the situation in Syria on Friday 13 December.
“We can help to ‘shape’ the future of Syria and the region. While we support Syria in its transition process, it is important to recognise the need for an inclusive reconstruction process, including all minorities, as well as women and girls”, she explained.
Ms Kallas hoped that the international community, including the countries of the region, would convey the same message to the ruling terrorist group, HTS, particularly with regard to the protection of minorities.
“We need a unified message and good coordination with local players. The EU cannot do anything on its own; it must be able to act with its regional partners”, she insisted. “We must send out the same message: maintain calm, avoid a new civil war, radicalisation and protect minorities, avoid reprisals and revenge”, added the High Representative. Ms Kallas believes that the protection of minorities is important in order to avoid a new wave of Syrian refugees.
The head of European diplomacy said that “the coming days and weeks will be crucial in assessing the direction HTS will take”. She acknowledged that regional players were wondering whether the terrorist group had changed. “We are not going to judge HTS on its words, but on its actions”, she added, promising that she would keep a close eye on the direction HTS takes.
The issue of Syria will be discussed by the European foreign affairs ministers at their Council meeting on Monday 16 December, and a debate is scheduled for the plenary session of the European Parliament, from 16 to 19 December. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)