Verbatim report of proceedings

Monday, 13 February 2023 - Strasbourg

EU response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria (debate)

  Dacian Cioloş (Renew). – Madam President, the mobilisation of the European Union and its Member States to support the people of Türkiye and Syria has been speedy and generous. And thank you, Commissioner Lenarčič, for what you have done till now. But we need all actors, international and on the ground, to put aside their differences and work together to ensure continuous and speed access so that humanitarian aid reaches all those in need in all affected areas. And this is especially pressing and necessary in northwest Syria, where the humanitarian crisis was already worsening before the earthquake.

Related to Syria, considering the disaster caused by the earthquake, I think a serious analysis is needed of the possibility of a general humanitarian exception clause that would allow aid to arrive more quickly without waiting for the various approvals that take time. And I call on the authorities in Damascus and all other actors on the ground not to politicise the delivery of humanitarian aid and to engage in good faith with all humanitarian partners and UN agencies to help people, because we need to act now beyond any political differences to help people.