According to draft European Council conclusions dated Wednesday 19 March and obtained by Agence Europe, on Thursday 20 March European leaders should strongly condemn the widespread violence against civilians in Syria’s coastal region and urge the transitional authorities to ensure the protection of all civilians and to hold perpetrators accountable in accordance with international norms and standards.
The Heads of State or Government should also emphasise the importance of a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria, “free from any harmful foreign interference”, and the protection of the rights of Syrians of all ethnic and religious origins, without discrimination. Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within secure borders should be fully respected, in accordance with international law, the text adds.
Finally, the European Council should promise that the EU will continue to examine possible new suspensions of restrictive measures by closely monitoring the situation in Syria, recalling that the recent suspension of measures was carried out as part of a gradual and reversible approach.
See the draft conclusions: https://aeur.eu/f/g08 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)