During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 March 2021), MEPs debate on the Syrian conflict - 10 years after the uprising: opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World (transcription made by authomated system, please check against delivery).

Brussels

statement

EU - Syria (T)

debate

plenary session

BORRELL FONTELLES, Josep (PSE, ES, EC)

foreign affairs and security policy (T)

The Syrian conflict - 10 years after the uprising: opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HRVP of the European Commission, Mr. president, dear members of the European Parliament, the conflict in Syria has lasted now 10 years, 10 years of tragedy for the people of Syria, displacement, exile, poverty, destruction, torture, enforced disappearances, barrel bombs, chemical weapons. We thought that we would never. Need to see this again at our doorstep, five countries have soldiers in Syria in this moment, but even with the military support of Russia and Iran as China cannot win and only a political solution is sustainable. And yet the political process set out by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 22 54, it is stuck, completely stuck.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HRVP of the European Commission, Our constitutional committee has been set up to negotiate a new constitution, providing the basis for free and fair elections supervised by the United Nations, by the Assad regime, blocked 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 and it 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, it's on its knees.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HRVP of the European Commission, In Syria, over 500.000 people have died. The economy is literally collapsing. More than half of the population has fled their homes in northern Syria today, hundreds of thousands living in tents. The pandemic has exacerbated the challenges. Latest data suggest the poverty rate stands at 80 percent in 80, and 12 million Syrians - nearly 60 percent of the population - are severely hit by food insecurity. Dear members, all this is happening on our borders, in our immediate neighbourhood, on the other side of the Mediterranean. We should not, we cannot, and we will not, allow Syria to be forgotten.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HRVP of the European Commission, On the 13th of March, I will co-chair with United Nations Office Brussels Conference on the future of Syria and the region. We must give United Nations any special envoy, Mr. Peterson, 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 due is ready to provide its support. And once the time is right to focus in reconstruction funds and the rebuilding of Syria and of the lives of its citizens, we are ready to provide very substantial support. A business as usual is not an option. We demand the safe Syria for refugees to return to their homes. A real search for the missing.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HRVP of the European Commission, The Commission is calling for the creation of an international mechanism to locate the missing, or there remains, some in mass graves. Accountability for the many war crimes and crimes against humanity and of the impunity, and until we see this, we must keep up the pressure. There will be no end to sanctions, no normalisations, no support for reconstruction until a political transition will be underway. This must be the message from the Brussels conference. Dear members, 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, who hosts millions of refugees. These people deserve our continued support.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, HRVP of the European Commission, In 10 years, as European Union and its member states have provided 22 billion, 22 billion remains in 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. The vote 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 lie down, we cannot give up. And thank you for your interest and count on your full support. Thank you.