Syria
The Council discussed developments
in Syria, for the first time since an
agreement for cessation of hostilities was announced. In
their discussion, ministers welcomed the agreement brokered
and guaranteed by Russia and Turkey. They expressed the hope
it could be fully implemented by all the parties to the
conflict.
Ministers reaffirmed the EU full support to the
UN-led process and to the UN Special Envoy
Staffan de Mistura. They noted that the meeting foreseen in
Astana on 23 January, if fully inclusive, could contribute to
a successful resumption of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva
under UN auspices, foreseen on 8 February 2017. Ministers
recalled the need to ensure full humanitarian access and
protection throughout the country.
The Council also reiterated its support to
the EU regional initiative on the future of
Syria. This initiative aims to find common ground on
the post conflict arrangements for Syria as well as
reconciliation and reconstruction once a credible political
transition is firmly underway, and in full coordination and
support of the UN efforts. The High Representative briefed
ministers on the latest round of talks conducted in this
framework with key regional players: Egypt, Iran, Jordan,
Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and soon
Turkey and Qatar.
The Council agreed that the EU will host
a conference on Syria and the region in
Brussels in Spring 2017, as a follow-up to the
London conference held in February 2016. The conference is
expected to focus on three areas:
- the political process towards a
transition, in particular to take stock of the state
of play of UN talks in Geneva;
-
humanitarian work and support for resilience and
stabilisation, to take stock of the implementation
of the London commitments and to identify possible gaps and
how to address them, including through possible new
pledges;
- possible support to post-conflict
reconstruction and reconciliationonce a credible
political transition is firmly underway.
The ministerial discussion will feed into the preparation of
the forthcoming joint communication by the High
Representative and the European Commission on
the EU's strategy for Syria, planned to
be presented to EU ministers by April 2017.
