Brussels: 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 an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said the discussion dealt with Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and other parts of the region.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Kallas noted that Syria continues to face significant challenges, including sectarian violence and weak institutions, a year after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad's regime. She highlighted the recent killing of US soldiers by ISIS terrorists as a reminder of the ongoing security risks in the country. The ministers discussed enhancing EU support for Syria's transition, particularly in governance, security sector reform, and trade.
Kallas recalled that the European Union was the first to lift sanctions to assist Syria's rebuilding efforts but emphasized that economic prosperity requires a trusted legal system and lasting stability. She confirmed the EU is adjusting its sanctions regime on Syria, with plans for a new EU-Syria political partnership, while warning against any retreat in the European role, which could allow other actors, including Russia, to fill the void.
Regarding the Middle East, discussions focused on the EU's contribution to security and stabilization in the Gaza Strip. Kallas explained that two EU missions on the ground could scale up operations, assisting border crossings and supporting the Palestinian police, contributing to the Peace Plan and the International Stabilization Force, pending approval from Israeli occupation authorities.
On Lebanon, Kallas mentioned the fragile truce between Lebanon and the Israeli occupation, warning that Hezbollah's refusal to disarm and continued Israeli strikes risk further instability. The EU continues to work on Palestinian Authority reform, humanitarian aid, and reconstruction, stressing the importance of transparency in spending reconstruction funds to achieve the intended objectives.