European parliament discusses Syria
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STRASBOURG - The European Parliament convened on Tuesday to discuss Syria developments, including an agreement between Kurds and Damascus and the recent violence in western Syria.
Only a few parliamentarians and EU Council and Commission representatives attended it.
On behalf of the EU Commission, the Polish minister for European Union affairs voiced the body's concern over the recent violence in western Syria and expressed support for the landmark agreement between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Damascus. The deal includes the integration of the SDF into Syria's security apparatus.
'The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen with 90 percent of the population living below the poverty line and over two million people still in tents. And the security situation remains very worrying,' Adam Szlapka said.
He added that the violence in the Kurdish-held northeast Syria (Rojava) between the SDF and Turkey-backed militants should end, describing the SDF as a 'longstanding partner' in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).
The EU Commission condemned violence against civilians and saw the SDF-Damascus deal, signed on Monday, as a positive step.
'The European Union strongly condemns any form of violence against civilians,' Dubravka Suica, European Union Commissioner for Mediterranean, said during the meeting, calling for a 'swift investigation' into violations.
She added that the committee formed by Damascus to probe the recent violence in western Syria is a welcoming step 'that needs to be translated into action.'
Hannah Neumann, a member of the European Parliament, told Rudaw that their intention is not to support the new government in Damascus but to 'support the Syrian and support the Syrian transition towards an inclusive, peaceful democratic pathway.'
She added that they cannot choose a ruler but can give the transitional government 'the careful benefit of the doubt.'
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