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EU foreign ministers discuss the situation in Syria

by AI | 16.Dec 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The EU wants to establish direct contact with the new rulers in Syria. This was announced by the EU’s foreign representative Kaja Kallas on Monday. According to Austria’s chief diplomat Alexander Schallenberg, it is important to protect the “territorial integrity of Syria”.

Archive image - "The essential thing is that we do not work with preconditions, but first establish a dialogue line," said Schallenberg. Photo: Barbara Gindl/APA

Brussels – The EU foreign ministers are discussing on Monday at their last meeting before Christmas, among other things, the European response to the change of power in Syria. The foreign representative Kaja Kallas announced before the meeting that the EU would establish direct contact with the new rulers in Syria on Monday. Austria’s Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg also wants to focus on dialogue.

“I have instructed an EU top diplomat in Syria to travel to Damascus to make contact with the new government. We will also discuss today how and on what level the EU will have relations with the new regime,” Kallas said. It’s important not only “what they say, but also what they do. Syria faces an uncertain future, and we need to ensure that it goes in the right direction.” The discussions will focus on Syria’s territorial integrity and dealing with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has taken power.

“The main goal that unites us all is that we want to protect Syria’s territorial integrity, that we want to ensure a move towards an inclusive government and a non-violent transition,” Schallenberg emphasized Monday in Brussels. From his point of view, “it is essential that we do not work with preconditions, but first establish a line of dialogue,” he emphasized repeatedly.

Regarding the discussion about the asylum procedures for Syrians suspended by several EU countries – including Austria – Schallenberg said, the “asylum status is not one that should be sought after.” The goal must be to create conditions in the countries of origin so that people can return. Currently, this possibility does not yet exist in Syria. “But if 17 states in the EU suspend ongoing asylum procedures for logical reasons,” it is only “logical that the situation on the ground is looked at.” (16.12.2024)