Syria – Council conclusions (23 March 2012)

COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 23 March 2012

8076/12

COMAG 27

PESC 394

COHAFA 33

SY 10

OUTCOME OF PROCEEDINGS

From:

Council

On:

23 March 2012

No. Prev. Doc.: 8003/12 COMAG 24 PESC 387 COHAFA 30 SY 9

Subject:

Syria

– Council conclusions

Delegations will find attached the Council conclusions on Syria, as adopted by the Council on 23

March 2012.

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COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON SYRIA

1.

The European Union is increasingly appalled by the unfolding situation in Syria and recalls

the European Council conclusions on Syria of 1 and 2 March 2012. The EU strongly

condemns the continued brutal attacks and systematic human rights violations by the Syrian

regime, including the use of heavy weaponry in civilian areas, which risk exacerbating further

the spiral of violence, sectarian clashes and militarisation, and endanger the stability of the

region. President Assad must step aside to allow for a peaceful and democratic transition.

The EU also condemns recent bomb attacks in Damascus and Aleppo causing scores of death

and injuries. Acts of terrorism cannot be justified under any circumstances.

2.

The European Union reiterates its deepest concerns at the increasingly worsening

humanitarian plight of the Syrian civilian population as a result of continuous and widespread

violence. The Syrian authorities must grant immediate, unimpeded and full access of

humanitarian organisations to all areas of Syria in order to allow them to deliver humanitarian

assistance and medical care. In this regard, the EU welcomes the recent visit of USG Valerie

Amos to Syria and her efforts to agree a clear framework of humanitarian access with the

Syrian authorities and takes note of the start of the preliminary humanitarian assessment in

Syria. It also welcomes the outcomes of the Syria Humanitarian Forum, held in Geneva on 8

March, as well as the UN Security Council statement of 1 March 2012, deploring the

humanitarian situation in Syria. It fully supports measures aimed at ensuring a coordinated,

rapid and effective humanitarian response of the international community. In the light of

growing needs, the EU and Member States have increased their financial support to

humanitarian organisations and will continue to mobilise the necessary assistance. The EU is

greatly concerned by reports of anti-personnel land mines being laid along the Syrian borders

aiming to prevent Syrians from fleeing.

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3.

The EU welcomes the recent visit to Damascus of the Joint Special Envoy of the United

Nations and the League of Arab States Kofi Annan and urges the Syrian authorities to

cooperate fully with him. The EU recalls its full support for his mission and his efforts to stop

violence and facilitate a peaceful Syrian- led and inclusive dialogue leading to a political

solution that meets the democratic aspirations of the Syrian people on the basis of the UN

General Assembly resolution of 16 February 2012 and League of Arab States resolutions, in

particular those of 22 January, 12 February and 10 March 2012.

4.

The EU reiterates its call for the UN Security Council to agree urgently on a resolution on

Syria in order to obtain the cessation of violence, immediate and unhindered humanitarian

access and leading to a political process in response to the aspirations of the Syrian people. It

calls on all members of the Security Council, particularly Russia and China, to work together

in an effort to stop the violence and to support fully the implementation of the League of Arab

States resolutions. The EU welcomes the UNSC Presidential Statement of 21 March

expressing its gravest concern at the deteriorating situation in Syria and full support to the

efforts of the Joint Special Envoy of the UN and the LAS, Kofi Annan.

5.

The EU welcomes the outcome of the debate of the UN Human Rights Council on Syria on 12

March 2012 and the adoption of the HRC resolution on 23 March 2012 on the human rights

situation in the country and the extension of the mandate of the Independent International

Commission of Inquiry. There must be a full investigation of the findings of the Commission

of Inquiry which pointed to crimes against humanity and other gross violations of human

rights committed in the country. The EU reaffirms that there should be no impunity for the

perpetrators of such alleged crimes.

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6.

The European Union supports the Syrian opposition in its struggle for freedom, dignity and

democracy for the Syrian people. The EU stands ready to step up its engagement with all

representative members of Syrian opposition which adhere to non violence, inclusiveness and

democratic values as they make progress to form a broad and inclusive platform. The Syrian

National Council, recognised by the EU as a legitimate representative of Syrians, and other

representatives of the opposition must unite now in the peaceful struggle for a new Syria that

is democratic, pluralistic, stable and guarantees human rights, including the rights of persons

belonging to minorities, and where all citizens enjoy equal rights regardless of their

affiliations, ethnicity, belief or gender. To this end, the EU urges all representative members

of the opposition to set up an inclusive coordination mechanism under the auspices of the

League of Arab States and to agree on a set of shared principles for working towards an

orderly and peaceful transition .

7.

Given the Syrian regime’s continued use of violence against civilians, the EU approved today

further designations of persons and entities to be subject to restrictive measures. The EU will

continue its policy of imposing additional measures targeting the regime, not the civilian

population, as long as repression continues. The EU will also continue to urge the

international community to join its efforts, in taking steps to apply and enforce restrictive

measures and sanctions on the Syrian regime and its supporters. It calls on all Syrians to

disassociate themselves from the repressive policy of the regime in order to facilitate a

political transition.

8.

As soon as a genuine democratic transition begins, the EU is ready to develop a new and

ambitious partnership with Syria across all areas of mutual interest, including by mobilising

assistance, strengthening trade and economic relations and supporting transitional justice and

the political transition.

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استنتاجات مجلس الشؤون الخارجية حول سورية (23 آذار/ مارس 2012)، تدين القمع وتدعم مهمة المبعوث المشترك كوفي عنان، وتعلن توسيع العقوبات.