Brussels – The EU international ministers are discussing on Monday at their final assembly earlier than Christmas, amongst different issues, the European response to the change of energy in Syria. The international consultant Kaja Kallas introduced earlier than the assembly that the EU would set up direct contact with the brand new rulers in Syria on Monday. Austria’s Overseas Minister Alexander Schallenberg additionally desires to concentrate on dialogue.
“I’ve instructed an EU prime diplomat in Syria to journey to Damascus to make contact with the brand new authorities. We will even talk about as we speak how and on what stage the EU can have relations with the brand new regime,” Kallas mentioned. It’s essential not solely “what they are saying, but in addition what they do. Syria faces an unsure future, and we have to make sure that it goes in the proper route.” The discussions will concentrate on Syria’s territorial integrity and coping with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has taken energy.
“The primary aim that unites us all is that we wish to shield Syria’s territorial integrity, that we wish to guarantee a transfer in direction of an inclusive authorities and a non-violent transition,” Schallenberg emphasised Monday in Brussels. From his viewpoint, “it’s important that we don’t work with preconditions, however first set up a line of dialogue,” he emphasised repeatedly.
Concerning the dialogue concerning the asylum procedures for Syrians suspended by a number of EU international locations – together with Austria – Schallenberg mentioned, the “asylum standing shouldn’t be one which ought to be wanted.” The aim have to be to create situations within the international locations of origin so that folks can return. At present, this chance doesn’t but exist in Syria. “But when 17 states within the EU droop ongoing asylum procedures for logical causes,” it’s only “logical that the state of affairs on the bottom is checked out.” (16.12.2024)
