On Tuesday 17 December, representatives of the European Parliament’s political groups called on the European Union to help Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
“The EU has both an interest and a duty to be present in the region and to help shape the future. The Eastern Mediterranean is our neighbourhood”, stressed Yannis Maniatis (S&D, Greek). “The EU must be ready to support Syrians who want to go down the path of political transition; this means providing solid humanitarian aid, encouraging inclusive dialogue among all legitimate players and bringing all war crimes to justice”, added Adam Bielan (ECR, Polish).
According to Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe, French), “we must be prepared to review the sanctions and help rebuild the country by reiterating our priorities: the fight against terrorism, the destruction of chemical weapons, respect for neighbouring countries, an end to the alliance with Russia, the protection of minorities and the place of women”.
For her part, Hannah Neumann (Greens/EFA, German) said that the EU should support all those who, in accordance with UN Resolution 2254, will support democracy. She called for humanitarian aid and the fight against impunity, but also for minorities not just to be defended, but to be able to sit at the government table.
During the debate, MEPs placed particular emphasis on the need to protect minorities, while also expressing concern about the possible radicalisation of the country. “We cannot allow Syria to become a second Afghanistan and we cannot allow Daesh to rise from the ashes. (...) We need to ensure that all minorities, including the Kurds, are treated equally”, stressed Mr Maniatis, while, according to Ms Loiseau, “all components of the Syrian nation must find their place in the new Syria”.
Stressing that Abu Mohammad al-Julani was a “jihadist turned freedom fighter, according to Western chancelleries”, Jordan Bardella (Patriots for Europe, French) claimed that the current situation could lead to “chaos, terror, repression of religious minorities and instability, again and again”. He warned against the risk of a new migratory crisis. Ms Neumann explained that the return of Syrian refugees should not be rushed.
Several MEPs also highlighted the situation of the Kurds. “With Turkey, we’ll have to discuss how to proceed. I expect it not to respond to the situation with bombs. The Syrian Kurds have no intention of working on behalf of the PKK. We should allow the Syrian Kurds to stabilise the situation on the ground”, stressed Michael Gahler (EPP, German).
His compatriot Martin Schirdewan (The Left) criticised the European Commission’s “silence” on Turkey’s war against Kurdistan. “The Kurds defeated the Islamic State and we must come to the aid of the Kurds, recognise the autonomous administration and enter into bilateral relations with it”, he argued. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)