Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2012-06-12-Speech-2-419-000"
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"en.20120612.20.2-419-000"2
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"Madam President, given the situation in the region, let me begin with the crisis that is unfolding in Syria.
Work on the political process cannot wait. It is crucial for the credibility of the international efforts and to show the people of Syria that there is a path leading to a better, rather than a more fragmented, Syria. But for this to happen, the opposition must finally come together and put its differences aside. Frankly, new leadership is not enough. A stronger and more united opposition that represents a credible alternative for all Syrians is essential.
We discussed ongoing efforts with Turkey and we are coordinating closely with the Arab League. We continue to meet the different factions and groups in the opposition. Now we are working on two seminars that will feed into the Arab League plans to organise a larger meeting with them.
In addition to our sanctions, diplomatic efforts and support to the UN Mission, which are appreciated by the UN, humanitarian assistance remains a top priority for the EU. Innocent civilians and children are paying the price of this crisis. I am working closely with Commissioner Georgieva to use all the tools we have at our disposal to deliver our assistance.
We have already allocated over EUR 28 million to address the humanitarian needs inside Syria and its neighbouring countries. We need the Syrian Government to implement the agreed comprehensive humanitarian response plan without any more excuses or delays.
Last week, the Commission approved EUR 23 million in special measures – I had previously announced that in this plenary and it has now been approved – to support civil society within Syria and neighbouring countries who are supporting Syrian refugees.
While I was in Istanbul last week, our Crisis Coordinator engaged with the Turkish authorities and visited the camps on Turkey’s borders. We offered further help to Turkey, as needed. I believe that Turkey is doing a great job in dealing with the refugees, and they can count on our support as they continue to do so.
We will continue to call for accountability and support UN efforts in this regard. This is something that we owe to the victims. The UN is investigating the latest massacres and the Human Rights Council – with our full support – is setting up a Committee of Investigation.
Some Member States have decided to withdraw and expel Ambassadors. Our Delegation in Damascus will remain open for as long as possible. This has been the request of many honourable Members and, more importantly, of the Syrians themselves. They are our ears, eyes and hands to help on the ground.
If I might, I will now turn to the Middle East peace process where our objective remains the same. I have been very clear from the beginning of what we call the Arab Spring or Arab Awakening that developments in the region make the peace process and a negotiated solution even more urgent and important, not less. While we have to pay – and should pay – great attention to events in Syria, Egypt and elsewhere, ending the conflict remains a key priority and a fundamental European Union interest.
The EU and the Quartet continue efforts to facilitate contacts between the parties, to resume direct and substantive talks, in line with the statements the Quartet has made, both in September last year and April of this year.
I do not have to say how appalled all Members of this House and all of us are by the sickening violence that we continue to witness in Syria. Security forces and militias have bombarded cities with no regard for citizens. There have been massacres and point-blank killings. We have seen this last week in a village near Hama, and the week before in Houla, where security forces and militias killed men, women and children. Those responsible for these crimes must ultimately be held to account and we must focus on doing everything we can to stop this bloodshed.
I have already mentioned in this House the work of Jordan and, in particular, I thank His Majesty King Abdullah II and the Minister for Foreign Affairs Judeh for their good offices in fostering the conditions to try to see the resumption of these negotiations. We are working closely with them to do everything we can to facilitate the process and I hope the 14 May Foreign Affairs Council conclusions demonstrated to all the strong and principled position of the European Union.
I have welcomed the recent exchange of letters between the parties and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement that the new Israeli Government will try to advance ‘a responsible peace process’. We want the parties to build on positive exchanges and resume direct talks.
We remain unequivocally committed to the security of Israel, including with regard to vital threats in the region. We have condemned all forms of violence against civilians, including the rocket attacks from Gaza.
But the truth is that while the Middle East peace process is not making the progress we all want, the prospects for a two-state solution are being undermined by developments on the ground. Proposals for new settlements around East Jerusalem, the lack of Palestinian involvement in Area C, the growth of settlements in the West Bank, settler violence and the financial situation of the Palestinian Authority all threaten the viability of a two-state solution.
EU Foreign Ministers at the last Foreign Affairs Council expressed a clear and strong consensual position in our conclusions, forging a common EU approach to developments on the ground. This was an important step forward. Insisting on the need to respect international and humanitarian law is absolutely consistent with our friendship with Israel.
Settlements remain the key and most serious concern. Only last week, I deplored the Israeli Government’s plans to build over 800 additional settlement housing units. Settlement expansion has to be condemned because these are illegal under international law and put current peace efforts at risk. I want to reiterate my call on the Israeli Government to exercise the highest sense of responsibility by reversing these decisions, in full respect of international law.
The EU will not recognise any changes to the pre-1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, unless they are agreed by both parties. Plans for major settlement expansion around the city’s southern flank risk cementing this, and the prospect of Jerusalem as the future capital for both states is being further undermined.
As regards settlement products, EU Foreign Ministers underlined the need to work with the Commission to ensure EU legislation is implemented effectively and with as much transparency as possible.
We will follow up on the Council conclusions, also seeking progress with regard to Area C for the benefit of the Palestinian population – a pressing issue that was the focus of our discussions at the last Ad Hoc Liaison Committee I hosted in Brussels. I believe development of Area C is critical to the viability of a future Palestinian state. Israel needs to help and facilitate this with concrete and pragmatic steps. We are also really concerned by recent and increasing incidents of settler violence, which we all condemn.
The precarious state of the Palestinian Authority’s finances is an issue. I have been engaged with them from the beginning of my mandate, working closely with Foreign Minister Støre of Norway. I want to thank Parliament again for its principled and constructive position with regard to the EU budget as I continue to urge countries in the region, and others, to share the burden and increase their support.
We are at a critical moment. The situation is deteriorating day by day as the regime’s behaviour reinforces the most radical elements on all sides. And yet most ordinary Syrians long for the transition that would avoid bloodshed, keep the country together and respect minorities. If the descent into further militarisation continues, it will spell terrible disaster not only for the people of Syria, but also for the broader region – I am thinking especially of Lebanon – where developments are extremely worrying.
On the humanitarian front, of course, the most pressing situation is in Gaza. I have visited three times since taking office, so my message and our support are clear. We need to open the crossings in Gaza as the best way of improving the well-being of the people and to see goods and people move freely. On the political front, I recognise the concrete progress on the reconciliation which President Abbas has engaged in.
But I want to stress again that the EU’s involvement in the region is also defined by its commitment to human rights, which must be respected by both parties. We will continue to address these issues in the context of our bilateral relations at all levels. I have been really concerned at reports of Palestinian Authority restrictions on freedom of speech and have urged both sides to deal effectively with acts of incitement. The extensive use of administrative detention is a key concern we raise at every opportunity.
Let me finish by reiterating our stated policy, which is a negotiated two-state solution. A one-state outcome cannot be the solution. Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated last week his support for a two-state solution, and I hope we will see those strong words of his supported by action from both sides to move forward to a negotiated settlement for the people of Israel and the people of Palestine.
As I have discussed with Kofi Annan – over recent weeks and most lately on Friday – we must spare no effort to avoid a catastrophe. Assad has no place in the future of Syria. His regime fails to comply with its own commitments and every day underlines its lack of legitimacy. The implementation of Kofi Annan’s plan is certainly not easy and its viability has been questioned. But despite all the challenges, it remains today the best way forward.
We have to act decisively to prevent further bloodshed, while avoiding fuelling the flames of sectarian violence. The only way forward is first of all to reinforce Kofi Annan’s leverage with the Syrian regime and to try to make the mission more effective. No other option has been able to gather together any kind of international support. I do pay tribute to Kofi Annan for his extraordinary efforts in exceedingly difficult conditions. He has the support and legitimacy of the international community through the United Nations and, of course, through the Arab League. Secretary-General Ban-Ki moon told the General Assembly on Thursday that this plan must remain the centrepiece of our efforts.
But that alone is not enough. We need to do much more to further isolate the regime, build real and operational international consensus, strengthen international sanctions and press the government towards compliance and transition. As Kofi Annan himself has made very clear, all concerned – and, in particular, the Members of the UN Security Council and those who have influence on the regime and on Russia and China in particular – must unite and apply more effective pressure to move forward to a solution.
That is why we need to agree on a road map that reinforces Kofi Annan and the plan and that involves, I would argue, three key priorities: firstly, a more effective contact group that includes Russia and China, to coordinate support for Kofi Annan and exert influence on the regime. I therefore welcome the idea of a contact group of key actors on the Syrian crisis announced by Kofi Annan last Thursday in the UN Security Council. The international community has to show unity in this critical moment.
Secondly, united action by the UN Security Council to add more robust and effective pressure, including the reinforcement of sanctions under Chapter VII and, thirdly, international consensus around a political process and transition.
With those three priorities in mind, I have engaged with Kofi Annan and other leaders to try to seek a new consensus, including meeting last week in Istanbul, where I attended a special meeting on Syria, and at the EU-Russia Summit the weekend before."@en1
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