BRUSSELS, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- EU foreign ministers reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to supporting security and stability in the Middle East, advancing political reform paths, and addressing the humanitarian challenges facing the region.
Speaking to reporters following a EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday, High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said the discussion dealt with Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and other parts of the region.
"Syria, one year after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad's regime, still faces enormous challenges, including sectarian violence, weak institutions and the erosion of the rule of law," she said, stressing that these problems remain and continue to constitute an obstacle to achieving sustainable stability.
She noted that the recent killing of US soldiers by ISIS terrorists was a "brutal reminder" that security risks persist in the country, adding that ministers discussed ways to enhance EU support for Syria's transition, particularly in the areas of governance, security sector reform and trade.
She recalled that the European Union was the first to lift sanctions to help the country rebuild, but that "lifting sanctions alone does not bring economic prosperity," as this requires "a trusted legal system and lasting stability to attract investors." In this context, she confirmed that the EU is adjusting its sanctions regime on Syria as the situation evolves, noting that ministers decided to move forward with a new EU-Syria political partnership, while warning that any retreat in the European role would leave a vacuum that could be filled by other actors, including Russia.
With regard to the situation in the Middle East, the EU foreign policy chief said discussions focused on the European Union's contribution to security and stabilisation in the Gaza Strip --. She explained that there are two EU missions on the ground that can scale up operations, one assisting border crossings and the other supporting the Palestinian police, thereby contributing to the Peace Plan and the International Stabilization Force, pointing out that this requires approval from the Israeli occupation authorities.
She added that the European Union continues to work on Palestinian Authority reform, humanitarian aid and reconstruction, stressing at the same time the need for the EU to have a say in how reconstruction funds are spent, to ensure transparency and achieve the intended objectives.
On Lebanon, Kallas said that the truce between Lebanon and the Israeli occupation remains fragile, warning that Hezbollah's refusal to disarm, alongside continued Israeli strikes, risks pushing the country into deeper instability. (end) arn.gb