EU reiterates strong support to Syrian political process and combatting Da’esh
May 23, 2016
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EU foreign affairs ministers, gathered in Brussels on 23 May for a foreign affairs Council, reaffirmed the EU’s commitments made in the EU Regional Strategy for Syria and Iraq as well as the Da’esh threat in March 2015, noting that while its objectives remain valid, its implementation should adapt to the changing circumstances.
In the Council Conclusions, the EU reaffirmed its strong support to the political process launched by the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and led by the United Nations, specifying that “serious negotiations are required to reach an agreement by 1 August on genuine political transition which would include a broad, inclusive non-sectarian transitional governing body with full executive powers.”
In this context, the EU commits to strengthening its collective work to step up its active support for the facilitation of the intra-Syrian negotiations; step up support to the Syrian opposition; engage the key regional actors; support the efforts of the ISSG taskforce in revitalising and strengthening the cessation of hostilities and achieving a broader ceasefire; enhance its contribution to the ISSG humanitarian task force; continue to support the Global Coalition’s actions to counter Da’esh in Syria; enhance its support to Syrian civil society starting in regions held by moderate opposition and step up its preparations for early engagement in the recovery and rehabilitation effort in Syria.
On combatting Da’esh, the EU will further enhance its counter-terrorism action by deepening security and counter-terrorism cooperation, enhancing its contribution to the Global Coalition to counter Da’esh, reinforcing its technical assistance to third countries in the development of national strategies to prevent and counter violent extremism, addressing the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives related risks in the region, strengthening its work on counter-radicalisation within the Global Coalition as well as in cooperation with Muslim countries, and enhancing the fight against foreign fighters. (EU Neighbourhood Info)