About: Syria conflict
Local and geopolitics intrude in Israel’s attempt to supply Europe with gas
Israel is moving quickly with the help of the US in a bid to transform Europe’s energy market. But geopolitics – and a large dose of local activism – could change the economic calculation for the EastMed pipeline, writes Joseph Dana.
Czech diplomats secure release of two NGO workers in Syria
The Czech Republic has negotiated the release of two workers for a German humanitarian group in Syria, the Czech and German foreign ministries said on Thursday (9 August).
UN official: Time to rebuild Syria’s ‘resilient’ agriculture sector
Syria's farming has been remarkably resilient after more than six years of civil war, but it is now time to help rebuild the country’s agricultural sector, a senior UN official has told EURACTIV.
Assad accuses Erdogan of close ties to Muslim Brotherhood
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was assigned by the US government to interfere in Syria when the terrorists lost control of different areas, Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad told Greek daily Kathimerini in an interview.
Europe and Turkey: The end of illusion
The summit held in Ankara on 4 April between Putin, Erdoğan, and Rouhani provides an eye-opening depiction of the rapidly changing discourse of 2018 geostrategic international rivalry, write Gilles Pargneaux, Dr Alon Ben Meir and Arbana Xharra.
The EU had a great plan for Jordan – now it’s time to make it work
In order to help Syrian refugees, the EU must improve its deal with Jordan and deliver on its promise to boost Jordanian exports and refugee hiring, write Gideon Maltz & Cindy Huang.
EU sanctions 16 more Syria officials over chemical weapons use
The European Union imposed sanctions on Monday (17 July) against another 16 high-ranking Syrian military officials and scientists for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons against civilians, the bloc said in a statement.
Hardly any Syrians at Syria donor conference
The EU needs to live up to its own commitments on national ownership and inclusivity to support the future of Syria, writes Alexandra Saieh.
Syria conference: Patience runs out for symbolic politics
Representatives from 70 countries and organisations at the Brussels Syria donor conference called for lessons to be learned from a chemical weapons attack that left scores dead. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Donors seek more funds for Syria, EU presses for peace
International donors are set to pledge billions more dollars for Syrian refugees at a two-day conference starting today (4 April) that the European Union says must also help prepare for an eventual end to more than six years of war in Syria.
Brussels Syria conference: Why this war is personal
Despite what Syria has become, most Syrian refugees speak longingly about returning to Syria and yearn for the types of job – doctors, engineers and teachers – that will be needed to rebuild their country, writes Christine Latif.
EU unveils Syria reconstruction plan
The EU unveiled an ambitious plan Tuesday (14 March) to support the reconstruction of war-torn Syria, calling it a "dividend" to encourage warring parties to reach a peace deal.
Syrian refugees must be part of the solution
The horrors of Aleppo continue to shock the world and the war has displaced millions. Syrian activist Mohammed Alsaud calls on the EU to involve the Syrian diaspora and the refugees themselves in efforts to tackle the issues at stake.
UNICEF deputy chief: 2016 was ‘one of worst years in history for children’
UNICEF organised a campaign event at the European Parliament on Tuesday (6 December), highlighting the plight of tens of millions of children in conflict and emergency situations going without schooling.
Sanctions off the table as EU holds ‘strategic discussion’ on Russia
European Union leaders will review the whole range of their “selective” cooperation with Russia – including on the Syria conflict – when they meet in Brussels today (20 October). Expanding EU sanctions on Moscow is off the table at this stage.
EU calls for ‘immediate halt’ to Aleppo fighting
The European Union on Thursday (18 August) urged an "immediate halt" to fighting in the Syrian city of Aleppo to allow medical and humanitarian aid to reach an estimated 1.5 million trapped civilians.
Erdogan threatens to end migration deal with Brussels, praises Putin
One day before a crucial meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told France's Le Monde newspaper that the migration deal with the EU might collapse if Brussels does not deliver its promise on visa waivers.
Surrender or genocide in Aleppo will fuel the IS terror
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia appear to mounting a humanitarian operation in Aleppo by opening safe corridors for the 300,000 civilians and rebels they have laid siege to. In effect, they are offering surrender or genocide. Some choice, writes Hamish de Bretton-Gordon.
Migrant returns start Sunday, after EU and Turkey strike refugee swap deal
All migrants and refugees arriving in Greece from this Sunday (20 March) will be returned to Turkey, under a controversial agreement hammered out over two days between the EU and Ankara at a summit in Brussels.
Syria five years on: Time for the EU to step up
Having seen first-hand the evolution of the Syria conflict, Dr. Osama Abo Elezz has witnessed the horrors of a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. He believes that it has now reached a tipping point that could either result in a peace deal or spell disaster for the country.
Taking stock of the refugee crisis
In view of Donald Tusk’s warning this week that the European Union had "no more than two months" to tackle the migrant crisis, the time has come to pause and appraise some of the key recent highlights in this policy area, writes Solon Ardittis.
It’s time for Iran to become a constructive partner in Middle East
The fact that Iran managed to come to an agreement not just with the United States, but also with Russia, the EU and China shows that it is able to build confidence with a diverse array of players, writes Dr Willem Oosterveldt.
Another tough year ahead for the EU
If the EU can overcome its many internal problems in 2016, especially the refugee and UK issues, then it will be able to make a greater impact in the external field, writes Fraser Cameron.