Int'l community sticks to UN-brokered political solution in Syria: EU foreign policy chief

The international community insists on an UN-brokered comprehensive political solution for Syria, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday.

Borrell spoke at a news conference following the first high-level discussions at the 6th Brussels Conference supporting the future of Syria.

“The entire international community remains convinced that the comprehensive political solution brokered through the United Nations is an ultimate imperative,” Borrell pointed out.

Until this condition is fulfilled, he ruled out any possibility to normalize relations with the regime of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad or any contribution to the reconstruction of the country.

He stressed that participants of the Brussels Syria conference “recognize the legitimate aspiration of the Syrian people for justice and accountability for the terrible, terrible crimes that have been committed against them.”

Borrell also reassured that the European Union will not forget about the needs of the Syrian people.

He said the bloc will mobilize over €3 billion ($3.16 billion) support for the Syrian people in 2022 and 2023.

Earlier on Tuesday, Borrell announced that the EU adds an extra €1 billion ($1.06 billion) to its support dedicated for this year, bringing the contribution to €1.56 billion ($1.65B).

The EU has pledged the same amount for 2023.

Representatives from 55 governments and 22 international organizations, in addition to the UN and the EU, as well as members of the civil society, participate in the donor conference held on Monday and Tuesday.

Last year, the international community pledged in total €5.3 million ($5.7 million at current prices) aid for Syrians and neighboring countries hosting refugees.

Syria has been in civil war since early 2011 when the regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests.

Over 400,000 people were killed, and more than 12 million needed to flee their homes becoming refugees or internally displaced over the past ten years, according to the EU.

Turkiye is the largest host country for Syrian refugees and provides international protection to nearly 4 million people who fled the neighboring country.