Welcoming the new departure in relations between the European Union and Syria, the European Parliament called on the EU on Wednesday 12 March to support a Syrian-led political transition, to help the country complete its reconstruction and to carry out a just and inclusive political transition.
In the joint resolution adopted by the S&D, EPP, Greens/EFA, Renew Europe and ECR groups (462 votes in favour, 76 against and 106 abstentions), MEPs strongly believe “that stability in Syria will come from a pluralistic political transition that includes credible representatives of all components of Syrian society and of all geographical areas”, adding that it was important for the future government to embody Syrian pluralism.
Deeply worried by the “fragile” security situation, the European Parliament firmly condemns “the retaliatory targeting of the Alawite community based on its perceived association with the Assad regime” and calls for “prompt, transparent and impartial” investigations into all killings and for those responsible to be held to account. At least 1,383 civilians have been killed since 6 March, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Stressing that the Syrian economy is “shattered”, the European Parliament said it “supports a full yet reversible lifting” of all sectoral sanctions, with a focus on the financial sector, “so as to provide the Syrian economy a much-needed lifeline”, while closely monitoring the political transition process.
The European Parliament also calls on the EU and its Member States to support humanitarian and development efforts and to strategically extend its focus from humanitarian aid, “to accelerated and early economic recovery and reconstruction in key sectors such as energy, water supply, healthcare and education”.
MEPs also want the EU to explore pathways to use frozen assets of the Assad regime for a trust fund for Syrian reconstruction, rehabilitation and compensation of victims.
Finally, the European Parliament calls for Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty to be respected.
See the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/fw3 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)