Syria: Josep Borrell’s statement on renewal of UNSC resolution on cross border humanitarian assistance

F.P. Report

BRUSSELS: On Monday, the United Nations Security Council extended for six months, until 10 July 2023, the authorisation for the UN to use the crossing point of Bab al-Hawa from Turkey to Syria for humanitarian deliveries.

Uninterrupted delivery of UN cross-border humanitarian assistance remains vital for 4.1 million Syrians living in north-west Syria, including 2.8 million internally displaced. Their lives depend on this humanitarian assistance.

Monday’s decision is therefore very good news for the people of Syria. We would like to thank especially Ireland and Norway as penholders in the UN Security Council.

The current situation inside Syria does not allow for any adequate alternative to UN-coordinated humanitarian assistance from abroad. The use of Bab al-Hawa crossing point is a humanitarian imperative to preserve the functioning of a critical humanitarian lifeline for millions of Syrians.

The European Union will continue to advocate for all parties to depoliticise and allow unimpeded and continued delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need. The EU will continue to support the delivery of reliable, impartial humanitarian aid, in line with the provisions of International Humanitarian Law.

The EU and its Member States remain the largest donors in support of Syrians in Syria and across the region since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, mobilising over €27.4 billion in humanitarian, stabilisation and resilience assistance.

The European Union calls again for a sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict through a genuine, inclusive political transition in line with UNSC resolution 2254 and restates its support to the efforts of UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, including his steps-for-steps approach.