Source: European Parliament
The EU is closely following developments throughout Syria and supports an inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition process, guided by the respect for international law, human rights, fundamental freedoms, pluralism and tolerance among all components of society. The interim leadership will be judged on their actions.
The EU listing of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leaders is a transposition of the restrictive measures adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), therefore any change in the listing status is a matter for the UNSC.
The suspension of other, sectoral, EU sanctions on Syria will be rolled out in a staged and reversible manner, whilst regularly assessing whether further suspension remains appropriate based on close monitoring of the situation on the ground.
The EU remains strongly engaged in the fight against Da’esh and its affiliates, including in the framework of the Global Coalition against Da’esh[1].
The EU is particularly concerned by the current situation in the northeast of Syria, and how this might impact on the stabilisation and the future of the country.
The EU is addressing the identified risks through counter-terrorism cooperation with regional partners, through its multilateral engagement with the UN and as co-chair of the Global Counterterrorism Forum[2], through security measures, support for repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes as well as through funding programmes to prevent and counter violent extremism, radicalisation and propaganda.
The EU welcomes the founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) recent call to the PKK to lay down arms and dissolve. Finding a fair and lasting solution, respecting fundamental rights and the rule of law, would not only benefit all Turkish citizens but would also contribute to stability in the entire region.