Draft Council conclusions on Syria (General Secretariat note)

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COUNCIL OF Brussels, 27 May 2013

THE EUROPEAN UNION

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NOTE

From: General Secretariat of the Council

To: COREPER/Council

Subject: Draft Council conclusions on Syria

1. Atits meeting on 27 May 2013, the Political and Security Committee agreed the draft Council

conclusions on Syria as set out in annex.

i)

There is an outstanding issue in brackets in paragraph 7.

3. | COREPER is therefore invited to confirm and approve these draft conclusions and to transmit

them to Council for adoption.

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ANNEX

DRAFT COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON SYRIA

1. | The EU is appalled by the escalating violence and the continued widespread and systematic

gross violations of human rights in Syria, reiterates its condemnation of the atrocities

committed by the Syrian regime, which according to the report of the Independent

Commission of Inquiry amount to crimes against humanity, and calls for the end of all

violence. The EU is seriously concerned with the ongoing military operations conducted by

the regime and its supporters in the city of Qusayr. The EU condemns the recent massacres

committed by the Syrian armed forces and its militias in Bayda and Baniyas that claimed the

lives of more than 140 people, including women and children.

The EU is deeply concerned with the rise of religiously or ethnically motivated violence. The

EU calls for the immediate release of the two recently kidnapped orthodox bishops.

The EU deplores serious abuses, including war crimes that are being committed by anti-

Government armed groups documented in the report of the Commission of Inquiry, although

such abuses do not reach the intensity and scale of those committed by the regime forces and

affiliated militias. The EU calls on all sides to fully respect the freedom of movement and

physical integrity of all UNDOF and UNTSO personnel. In this regard the EU condemns all

instances of hostage taking of peacekeepers.

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2. The EU reiterates the urgent need for a political solution of the conflict and welcomes the

joint US-Russian call for a peace conference on Syria to promote a political process based on

the principles included in the Geneva communiqué of 30 June 2012. The EU will spare no

effort in helping to create the appropriate conditions for a successful convening of this

conference. The EU calls on both sides of the conflict to respond positively to this call and to

engage openly in a genuine Syrian-led process of negotiations, aiming at a democratic and

peaceful political solution on the basis of the Geneva communiqué of 30 June 2012, which

foresees inter alia the establishment, on the basis of mutual consent, of a transitional

governing body, which would exercise full executive powers. The EU will continue to work

with all interested parties, specifically with the UN, the League of Arab States, the Joint

Special Representative Brahimi, and all those sincerely committed to the success of this

initiative.

3. | The EU welcomes the declaration of 20 April 2013 by the National Coalition of Syrian

Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SOC) — which the EU accepts as legitimate

representatives of the Syrian people — setting out the principles of a democratic, pluralistic

and inclusive Syria respectful of human rights, including the rights of religious and ethnic

minorities, and the rule of law, rejecting extremism and committing to guarantee the security

of the chemical weapons present in Syria as well as to support non-proliferation international

efforts and comply with its international obligations on that matter. The EU welcomes the

adoption of the resolution on the situation in Syria by the United Nations General Assembly

on May 15th that, inter alia, supported a political process based on the Geneva Communiqué

and welcomed the establishment of the SOC as effective representative interlocutors needed

for a political transition.

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The EU underlines the importance of the ongoing meeting of the SOC General Assembly in

Istanbul. The EU calls on the SOC and all opposition groups to continue to work

towards a political settlement and to enhance inclusiveness. A stronger and more united

opposition that represents a credible alternative for all Syrians remains essential. The

EU strongly encourages the Coalition to participate in the planned peace conference and to

lead the opposition delegation. The EU stands ready to continue engaging with and to support

the Coalition in these endeavours and its relations with the international community at large.

4. The EU urges all parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian and human

rights law. All those responsible for atrocities and human rights violations and abuses must be

held accountable. The EU reaffirms that there should be no impunity for any such violations

and recalls that the UNSC can refer the situation in Syria to the ICC, as requested in the Swiss

letter to the SC of 14 January 2013, at any time. The EU calls on Syria to allow the

Commission of Inquiry immediate, full and unfettered access throughout the country. The EU

calls on the UNSC to urgently address the situation in Syria in all aspects, including these

issues. The EU reiterates its condemnation of terrorist attacks of any nature.

5. | The EU demands that all parties ensure safe and unimpeded access for aid organisations to

those in need in all areas of Syria. It deplores the obstacles to the provision of humanitarian

assistance and underlines to all parties, in particular the Government of Syria, the urgent need

to remove them. It emphasises the need for all parties in Syria, and in particular the Syrian

authorities, to cooperate fully with the United Nations and relevant humanitarian

organisations. The provision of emergency assistance must be facilitated through all possible

humanitarian channels, including across borders and across conflict lines, in order to reach all

those in need. The EU reiterates its call to ensure the safety of all humanitarian workers and

its demand for the specific protection provided to medical personnel and facilities.

The EU renews its commitment to respond to humanitarian needs in Syria and its

neighbouring countries, notably Lebanon and Jordan as well as countries of the broader

region in accordance with the EU Consensus on Humanitarian Aid. The EU commends those

countries that keep their borders open in order to provide safe haven for refugees and also

expresses concern about the fate of Palestinian refugees.

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The EU calls on all donors to fulfil their pledges made at the Kuwait humanitarian conference

of 31 January and to commit to provide further support to those in need.

6. The EU remains deeply concerned by the spill-over of the Syrian crisis in neighbouring

countries and supports their efforts to contain it.

The EU is seriously concerned with the involvement of extremist and foreign non-state actors

in the fighting in Syria, which is further fuelling the conflict and posing a threat to regional

stability.

The EU remains committed to the sovereignty, independence and the territorial integrity of

Syria.

7. [placeholder — sanctions including arms embargo]

8. | The EU expresses its great concern regarding the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria.

The EU reiterates the importance of the role of the fact-finding mission established by the

United Nations Secretary General to investigate the allegations of use of chemical weapons in

Syria. The EU calls on the Syrian authorities to co-operate fully with the investigation and

allow it full and unfettered access throughout the country without delay. The use of chemical

weapons by anyone under any circumstances is completely unacceptable. The EU will

increase coordination with international partners on the threat of chemical and biological

weapons and explore ways of cooperation, also with partners in the region and relevant

international organisations and bodies in particular to prevent and combat the risk of

voluntary or accidental spread of such weapons to neighbouring countries.

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9. The EU will pursue its efforts to reinforce its assistance and support to the civilian population,

in coordination with the Assistant Coordination Unit of the SOC and with local civilian

structures in order to maintain or re-establish basic services for the benefit of the civilian

population.

The EU remains committed to deliver non-humanitarian assistance through all possible

channels in order to reach as many people in need as possible and continues its efforts within

the Working Group on Economic Recovery to ensure close coordination with other

international actors. In order to ensure effective delivery of help to those most in need inside

Syria, the EU welcomes the work to establish the Syrian Recovery Trust Fund being taken

forward by the co-chairs of the Working Group on Economic Recovery.

The EU will continue to work closely with international partners on planning to ensure that

the international community is ready to provide rapid support to Syria once transition takes

place. The EU will start without delay to work on articulating a comprehensive response to

challenges that shall arise in the post-crisis context, including on justice and security.

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مذكرة من الأمانة العامة لمجلس الاتحاد الأوروبي تتضمن مسودة استنتاجات المجلس حول سورية (أيار/ مايو 2013).