The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell said that if "the Syrian government takes the right steps in the right direction, we will all respond.”
Borrell indicated that “we will not stop imposing economic sanctions,” nor will there be normalization at any level, adding that reconstruction efforts will not be supported until the political transition process is launched in Syria.
Speaking at the “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region” conference, Borrell said: “We all know how devastated Syria is today. How much suffering and pain its people are enduring for ten years already”, pointing that over 400,000 people have died, and about 100,000 have disappeared.
The official warned that over 13 million people need humanitarian assistance, over half of them are children.
“A generation of Syrians has only known war.”
He announced a new European Union pledge of €560 million, the same amount that was pledged last year, adding that since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, the EU has provided about €25 billion.
“Over 85 delegates from more than 55 countries and over 25 international organizations gathered virtually, reconfirming the resolution’s core message: Syrians must decide the future of Syria.”
Borrell stressed that the EU’s interests are consistent with what Syrians want, asserting the need to advance on the political front towards a comprehensive and sustainable solution.
“We need that if we want to pull Syria back on track, back on its feet.”
The international and concerned parties have agreed on the necessity of drafting a new constitution for the country and holding free and fair elections under the auspices and supervision of the United Nations, he remarked.
Syria needs to change the current course, he urged, adding that the regime should take important steps as stipulated by UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
“Only a political solution will bring stability and allow Syria to become the united, sovereign, prosperous and a free country we all want to see.”
