Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Union Council approved conclusions on Syria on Monday, affirming the European Union's commitment to standing by the Syrian people and supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition to help build a better future for all Syrians.
According to a European statement distributed in Brussels, the conclusions welcome the transitional government's commitment to building a new Syria based on national reconciliation, accountability, the rule of law, and the separation of powers, as well as human rights and fundamental freedoms for all Syrians without discrimination, while fully preserving the country's diversity.
It also welcomes the statements pledging to develop peaceful relations with all states and fully respect international law. The European Union stands ready to cooperate with the transitional government in regional and multilateral fora and urges all external actors, without exception, to fully respect Syria's unity, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The European Union condemns any unilateral foreign military actions or presence, as well as any attempts to undermine Syria's stability and the prospects for a peaceful transition, including through the manipulation of information and foreign interference.
Syria's transition and reconstruction process will require sustained, long-term efforts. The European Union cooperates with the transitional government and civil society, works closely with regional and international partners to achieve this goal, and calls on the international community to intensify its political and financial support and facilitate Syria's economic recovery.
The European Union, together with its Member States, expresses its concern about the continuing catastrophic humanitarian situation in the country and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to supporting the Syrian people, as part of its efforts to support Syria's inclusive political transition, rapid economic recovery, reconstruction, and stabilization.
For this reason, and to support Syria's inclusive political transition and rapid economic recovery, reconstruction, and stabilization, the European Union recently lifted all remaining economic sanctions on Syria, maintaining only those related to the Assad regime, in line with its call for accountability, and those based on security grounds. In parallel, the European Union imposed additional sanctions on human rights violators and those fueling instability and violence in Syria, in response to the recent widespread violence in the Syrian coastal region and other areas around Damascus.