Source: European Parliament
The High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) confirms the EU’s commitment to a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned peaceful and inclusive transition with the participation of all Syrian citizens, including the Syrian Kurdish population.
The EU urges all Syrian and regional actors to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any further violence, to ensure the protection of civilians, and to uphold international law, including international humanitarian law.
Türkiye has a legitimate right and responsibility to fight against terrorism, ensuring that this is done in accordance with the rule of law, respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, and in full respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of neighbouring states.
The HR/VP evokes the European Council conclusions of 19 December 2024[1], calling for full respect for Syria’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within secure borders, in accordance with international law.
The HR/VP already expressed this position in her statement of 9 December 2024[2], and clearly reiterated it in multiple international meetings, including in Aqaba on 14 December 2024[3], where the international community agreed on common principles for engaging in support of a Syrian-led, Syrian owned transition.
The HR/VP also took the opportunity to underline the EU’s position in her bilateral meetings with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, and will continue to do so.
The EU stands ready to support the new phase in Syria in coordination with regional partners and others. For this, the HR/VP is in close contact with her counterparts in the region.
- [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/jhlenhaj/euco-conclusions-19122024-en.pdf
- [2] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/12/09/syria-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-fall-of-the-assad-regime/
- [3] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/press-statement-eu-high-representative-foreign-affairs-and-security-policy-following-international_en