The EU and the Syrian Crisis as Viewed from the Middle East (original) (raw)

The Awkward EU Policy in the Syrian Imbroglio.pdf

The EU is one of the leading international powers, which has ability and capability to play an influential role in the humanitarian crisis of Syria. Nevertheless, the EU authorities did not deal effectively with the Syrian issues on solving the emerging difficulties at the very beginning. Such reluctant acts were contradictory to those basic EU principles, which were envisaged by the establishment of the institution. The Syrian security authorities usage of severe violence against those peaceful protestors in 2011 has changed the EU policy towards Syria. The EU’s initial steps were suspension of the cooperation with the Syrian Government under the European Neighbourhood Policy and extending the restrictive measures for political solution of the conflict. The EU has condemned human rights violations in Syria but its policy implementation was not enough for effective desired results. The EU has tried to keep the Syrian people within their country and/or outside of the EU border. The EU is taking part of the International Syria Support Group in order to stabilization of Syria and a peaceful solution of political delicate situation within the country. The Foreign Affairs Council adopting new strategies regarding the humanitarian disaster in Syria as emerging problems within the neighbouring areas. The EU and some of its member states are trying to help Syrian humanitarian crisis by providing financial assistance as a result of direct affects of refugees and related issues within the European borders. This paper will highlight above matters by using official papers, media outlets and academic papers. Key words: F22, F51, F52, F54, F55.

EU Policy and the Humanitarian Crisis in Syria: Time for a Reassessment

Rome, IAI, July 2020, 5 p. (IAI Commentaries ; 20|50), 2020

Just as EU members have supported a renewal of the UN mechanism to provide cross-border aid to Syria, opposing Russian efforts to force the UN to direct all aid through Damascus, EU states also need to develop parallel policies capable of maintaining some degree of engagement (and leverage) vis-à-vis Syrians in government controlled territory.

Europe and the Syrian Conflict: Policies and Perceptions

2017

In Syria, European countries typically find themselves revolving in the Russian-American orbit, where it is not possible for them to take any action outside of the sphere already determined or to be determined by the US and Russia. Not only do European countries lack the required military power to be ‘playmakers’, but they also lack the political appetite to be more engaged in the conflict. This reality is rooted in the European public’s general stance against military involvement in foreign conflicts due to their values and bitter past experiences. Given this framework, the political role assumed by the European countries to assist or confront the US and Russia in formulating and implementing their policies in Syria remains limited. Europe will settle for a resolution formula agreed upon by these superpowers as long as it prevents war and instability. The UK – having a closer relationship with the US – works in alliance with the American government in policy formulation, whereas Germany and France, act with a view to steer Russia in the ‘right direction’. France, however, can especially be expected to play a significant role vis-à-vis the Russian strategy. The European Union’s political stance is additionally burdened by the national interests of its members. Therefore, lacking the means and measures to assume an engaged stance, it suffices with supporting the Geneva Process for a political settlement. Its most important and effective engagement, however, is providing humanitarian aid and assistance to Syrian citizens, in many parts of Syria and its neighboring regions. The EU and its member states are heavily criticized for not being more engaged in Syria, not putting enough pressure on Bashar al-Assad and not even intervening militarily at a stage when it was possible. Nevertheless, given the above framework, these expectations do not appear to have been realistic. In fact, most of the Syrians we spoke to during this research were pragmatic and reasonable in their expectations regarding an EU military involvement, without a Russian- American deal. Accordingly, it would be fair to say that the EU has indeed acted in a rational manner, allowing it to maintain a position that would make it possible to embrace its role when a settlement is being negotiated and enforced. In the context of policy-making and conflict resolution, the most value added role the EU should be expected to play is being a ‘conciliator’ during the peace talks and transition. To attain this main aim, the EU has acted in a way that will allow it to communicate and negotiate with all the parties involved. Together with the UN, the EU will also be the overarching agency to monitor the legitimacy of the transitional period and the new form of government to be instituted in Syria. A second, imperative role the EU is set to play – which will also take place after a resolution – is the political, economic and infrastructural reconstruction of Syria. The EU is, however, persistent on one condition: that it will not pay for reconstruction without a transition and sustainable resolution; a condition which the EU can leverage for its political role as well. Briefly stated, European countries – while refraining from being militarily involved in the conflict – are waiting for the parties to reach a settlement. In the meantime, they are exerting efforts to adeptly steer the settlement process to meet their priorities, through their relations with the US, Europe and the Syrian Conflict: Policies and Perceptions 10Introduction Russia and other regional countries. Europe awaits its time to come, investing its assets in the future and the future of Syria.

Ten Years of the Syrian Conflict: Time for the EU to Reconsider Its Strategy?

Rome, IAI, March 2021, 5 p. (IAI Commentaries ; 21|17), 2021

When it comes to Syria, Europe has long been side-lined from the political and military track, but Brussels and European member states have dedicated significant funding to address the Syrian humanitarian emergency since 2011. After ten years of conflict and devastation, and with the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing, it is high time for Europe to explore creative means to have a greater impact on the ground and mitigate the suffering of ordinary Syrians across the country.

Europe and the Syrian Crisis: Keep Calm and Clear-minded by Maria Luisa Fantappiè

Rome, IAI, December 2024, 3 p. (IAI Commentaries ; 24|73), 2024

Europe should be cautious in Syria, support an inclusive and open political process rather than hurry up to legitimise any entity in Damascus. Europeans should be clear-minded that only an inclusive political process can create the conditions for minorities to remain in the country and refugees to go back. Europe should also collaborate with Arab states to steer the political transition and prevent power from being captured by a specific faction, while also averting the risk of a potential resurgence of international jihadism.

The Dog that Didn't Bark? EU Crisis Management and the Syrian Crisis

Based on the commonly held assumptions about the inability of the European Union (EU) to cope with new challenges, this paper raises the question of whether the EU will assume greater responsibility for peace, especially in its neighborhood, in the short-term. It contributes to answering this question through focusing on EU mechanisms, instruments and policies of crisis management (civilian-military) since the 1990s, which is embodied in the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). In March 2015, the European External Action Service (EEAS) presented a report on CSDP indicating problems in crisis management. Yet, the EU strives for efficient activities. It considered reviewing its neighborhood policy as well as Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) to enable more effective actions to deal with crises. Today, it has a huge “toolbox” to address crises. The EU attaches great importance to a coherent and comprehensive strategy in crisis situations. Observing that a comprehensive strategy of the EU was launched in early 2015 to deal with the crisis in Syria, this paper questions to what extent the EU’s new arguments for crisis management are realized in its regional strategy for Syria. While the Syrian crisis is still unfolding, its impacts on the EU in the form of rising terror attacks in Europe by Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and an unprecedented influx of migrants are remarkable. Keywords: EU, crisis management, CSDP, Syria, EU foreign policy

The Ins and Outs of the EU's Shortcomings in Syria

EUROMED SURVEY, 2019

With Anis Nacrour. Available at https://www.iemed.org/publicacions/historic-de-publicacions/enquesta-euromed/euromed-survey-2018/european\_union\_shortcomings\_syria\_Dimitris\_Bouris\_EuromedSurvey2018.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1Q0Pt3FGzZ0HMg2yxTwqG12nCQCEQj9IcvqfvuFWJjDNGFuJIE8Oo1cJo