Debate: The Syrian conflict –  years after the uprising
Date: TUESDAY, 9 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Josep Borrell Fontelles
Language: EN

Five countries have soldiers in Syria at this moment, but even with the military support of Russia and Iran, Assad cannot win and only a political solution is sustainable. And yet the political process set out by the United Nations Security Council in its Resolution 2254 is stuck, completely stuck. A constitutional committee has been set up to negotiate a new constitution, providing the basis for free and fair elections supervised by the United Nations. But the Assad regime blocks any real discussion and does not want free and fair elections. Instead, in June, Assad will hold his own elections to make sure he wins, to convey that Syria is at peace, that reconstruction should begin and sanctions be lifted, and that we should recognise that he won. Nothing else would be a bigger mistake. Peace is not won by crushing the people, by crushing opposition and pursuing a war until the country, the whole country, is on its knees. In Syria, over 500 000 people have died. The economy is literally collapsing. More than half of the population have fled their homes. In northern Syria today, hundreds of thousands live in tents. The pandemic has exacerbated the challenges. Latest data suggests the poverty rate stands at 80% and 12 million Syrians, nearly 60% of the population, are severely hit by food insecurity. All this is happening on our borders, in our immediate neighbourhood, on the other side of the Mediterranean. We should not and we cannot and we will not allow Syria to be forgotten. On 13 March I will co—chair with the United Nations a fifth Brussels conference on the future of Syria and the region. We must give the United Nations and its special envoy, Mr Pedersen, our full support and continue to push for a genuine political solution, according to the United Nations Security Council resolution. The political process has to move forward with a new negotiated constitution, free and fair elections, release of political prisoners. The EU is ready to provide its support and, once the time is right, to focus on reconstruction funds and the rebuilding of Syria and of the lives of its citizens. We are ready to provide very substantial support but business as usual is not an option. We demand a safe Syria for refugees to return to their homes and a real search for the missing. The Commission is calling for the creation of an international mechanism to locate the missing – or their remains, some in mass graves – accountability for the many war crimes and crimes against humanity and the impunity and until we see this, we must keep up the pressure. There will be no end to sanctions, no normalisation, no support for reconstruction until a political transition is underway. This must be the message from the Brussels conference. We must keep providing assistance to the Syrian people in need, both in Syria and in neighbouring countries, in particular in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, which host millions of refugees. These people deserve our continued support. In 10 years, the European Union and its Member States, have provided 22 billion. It means on average 2.2 billion every year in assistance for needs inside Syria, in support of refugees and in support of refugee hosting countries. We are the biggest donor and we will continue showing our solidarity. The support of this Parliament to these efforts has been and remains crucial. The needs are immense and we will call on other donors to provide support too because we cannot do everything. And, of course, we will continue engaging with civil society. Their voice is crucial to fully understand what’s happening and what is needed to bring hope for the future, for a peaceful and different Syria. We cannot let them down, we cannot give up. Thank you for your interest and I count on your full support.