Syria, EU Council fears for transition: "Assad loyalists in key positions"

Brussels – Syria is anything but stable. The fall of Bashar al-Assad offers no guarantees, and Brussels is watching the country with concern. There are still too many loyalists in positions of power, holding key state functions, and there are fears of new wars, especially civil wars. It is the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council that has put these fears in writing, in response to a parliamentary question addressed to the representative institution of the Member States.

The Cypriot Presidency acknowledges that “the individuals and entities on the EU sanctions list linked to the al-Assad regime continue to hold positions of power and influence and represent a risk of supporting, through funding or other means, further armed conflict.” This means, it clarifies, that the same people “could play a role in attempts to reverse the transition.” For this reason, “they could continue to be sanctioned” despite the suspension of EU restrictive measures against the country and its key sectors.

Beyond the intention to continue targeting individuals and organisations, there remains the perception of a fragile Syria, as well as the awareness that everything could be on the verge of exploding again. The Cyprus Presidency acknowledges that “the Council has assessed that, despite the fall of the al-Assad regime and the establishment of transitional authorities, the situation in Syria remains unstable.” One of the factors contributing to political instability is that “al-Assad’s network, which is widespread both inside and outside Syria, cannot be considered dissolved.”

Assad’s shadow continues to loom over Syria, a country that is a real headache for the EU. The fall of a leader unpopular with the European Union has seen power seized by an organisation that the European Union itself recognises as terrorist. If the old regime was considered an enemy and hostile, the current one cannot be trusted. What’s more, the country is considered to be crumbling. For this reason, the Cypriot Presidency reminds us, “the EU urges all external actors, without exception, to fully respect the unity, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria.” A veiled invitation to the governments of Israel and the United States, after the recent warnings about the resurgence of ISIS in Syria.

English version by the Translation Service of Withub