The European Union will host a major international conference on Syria on 5 April, entitled ‘Syria and the region: supporting the future of Syria and the region’, co-chairing the event with the United Nation, Germany, Kuwait, Norway, Qatar and the United Kingdom, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini announced on Monday.

“This is part of the efforts, the work that the European Union is doing on Syria, with our regional initiative, our round of talks with eight of the regional players. And we hope that the Brussels conference on 5 April can support strongly the UN work on the political track, but also try to establish a regional and international framework for that support, for the humanitarian work, but also for looking at the future, how we can, together, support the future of Syria and the region,” said Mogherini after chairing the monthly meeting of EU foreign ministers.

The EU foreign affairs Council hosted the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry, for an informal exchange of views on the economic and social reform agenda of the country, the rule of law and human rights, bilateral cooperation on counter-terrorism, security and migration, as well as the main regional issues – the Middle East Peace Process, Syria and Libya. 

Mogherini updated ministers on the most recent work on migration ahead of the Summit of EU leaders later this week. 

Ministers also reaffirmed their consolidated, common, united position on the Middle East peace process. The EEAS is preparing for an Association Council with Israel, as well as for high level meetings with the Palestinian Authority.

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Press release

Syria: Council response to the crisis

EEAS – The EU and the crisis in Syria

European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection – Syrian crisis factsheet  

EU Neighbours – Egypt

EEAS – The EU and the Middle East Peace Process