Brussels to Host First EU–Syria Dialogue, Conditional on Political and Human Rights Reforms

ARK News.. The Council of the European Union announced in a statement on Wednesday, May 6, that the first high-level political dialogue between the European Union and Syria will be held in Brussels on May 11, following a recent proposal by the European Commission to resume implementation of the agreement signed between the two sides in 1978.

The meeting will be co-chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. The talks are expected to establish a political framework for future relations.

The Council statement said the dialogue represents an opportunity to make progress toward normalizing relations between the two sides and to assess cooperation tracks related to EU support for the Syrian transitional authorities in achieving stability, strengthening social and economic recovery, and advancing an inclusive political transition.

The European approach also includes facilitating the “safe, voluntary, and dignified” return of refugees at a time when EU member states host large numbers of Syrians, in addition to enhancing Syria’s integration into regional connectivity projects in transport and energy sectors.

On May 5, Human Rights Watch sent a letter ahead of the political dialogue between the EU and Syria, stating that the European Union should use its leverage and adopt a “more for more” approach, linking the normalization of relations with tangible progress on human rights.

The organization urged the European Commission and the Council to ensure that EU messaging during and after the upcoming dialogue emphasizes concrete progress in key areas, including justice and accountability, security sector reform, and reconstruction and recovery.

The cooperation agreement between the EU and Syria was partially suspended in 2011 in response to repression and human rights violations committed by the former Assad government.

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