The meetings of EU foreign ministers and leaders last week provided an opportunity for an interim assessment of the EU’s position on developments in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime.
The EU’s stance can be characterized by “cautious anticipation” (accompanied by question marks) toward internal Syrian developments, along with the outlining of “red lines”—namely, setting demands/conditions for the Syrian regime in shaping domestic policies. These conditions must be met to secure long-term assistance (beyond humanitarian aid) for the country’s reconstruction.
At a press conference following the foreign ministers’ meeting, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas repeatedly emphasized that in the coming weeks, the EU will wait to see “positive steps” from the Syrian regime. Progress will be evaluated not by declarations but by concrete actions. According to Kallas, while the regime may make the right declarations, not everyone is convinced it will act accordingly. This includes conducting an inclusive political process, respecting human rights and women’s rights, safeguarding minority rights, and upholding freedom of religion. Kallas also noted concerns about the Russian presence in Syria, stating that the new regime must end this presence.
EU leaders underscored in their concluding remarks that the political transition process must allow for the safe and dignified return of refugees (a highly sensitive domestic issue in most EU member states). They also stated that efforts must focus on preventing the resurgence of terrorist groups and eliminating the remnants of chemical weapons stockpiles (Israel, to the best of our knowledge, has implemented this decision).
In addition to waiting for developments and applying lessons learned from the EU’s absence in Libya and Afghanistan, the EU dispatched a mid-level official to Damascus to open a channel of communication. Simultaneously, France decided to renew its presence in Damascus (it’s assumed that other member states will follow). Furthermore, in addition to ongoing humanitarian aid to Syrian civil society, the EU intends to convene a donor conference.
Even though Israel’s name wasn’t mentioned in the meeting summaries, the call to respect Syria’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence suggests that Israel’s activities in Syrian territory and the statements made by Israel’s prime minister and defense minister about a continued Israeli presence in Syria will likely face EU criticism.
The meetings of EU foreign ministers and leaders last week provided an opportunity for an interim assessment of the EU’s position on developments in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime.
The EU’s stance can be characterized by “cautious anticipation” (accompanied by question marks) toward internal Syrian developments, along with the outlining of “red lines”—namely, setting demands/conditions for the Syrian regime in shaping domestic policies. These conditions must be met to secure long-term assistance (beyond humanitarian aid) for the country’s reconstruction.
At a press conference following the foreign ministers’ meeting, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas repeatedly emphasized that in the coming weeks, the EU will wait to see “positive steps” from the Syrian regime. Progress will be evaluated not by declarations but by concrete actions. According to Kallas, while the regime may make the right declarations, not everyone is convinced it will act accordingly. This includes conducting an inclusive political process, respecting human rights and women’s rights, safeguarding minority rights, and upholding freedom of religion. Kallas also noted concerns about the Russian presence in Syria, stating that the new regime must end this presence.
EU leaders underscored in their concluding remarks that the political transition process must allow for the safe and dignified return of refugees (a highly sensitive domestic issue in most EU member states). They also stated that efforts must focus on preventing the resurgence of terrorist groups and eliminating the remnants of chemical weapons stockpiles (Israel, to the best of our knowledge, has implemented this decision).
In addition to waiting for developments and applying lessons learned from the EU’s absence in Libya and Afghanistan, the EU dispatched a mid-level official to Damascus to open a channel of communication. Simultaneously, France decided to renew its presence in Damascus (it’s assumed that other member states will follow). Furthermore, in addition to ongoing humanitarian aid to Syrian civil society, the EU intends to convene a donor conference.
Even though Israel’s name wasn’t mentioned in the meeting summaries, the call to respect Syria’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence suggests that Israel’s activities in Syrian territory and the statements made by Israel’s prime minister and defense minister about a continued Israeli presence in Syria will likely face EU criticism.