Provision of assistance to Syria in 2024 under the NDICI-Global Europe programme

6.11.2024

Question for written answer  E-002442/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Thierry Mariani (PfE)

Under the NDICI-Global Europe programme, the Commission has earmarked a budget of EUR 36 million to support the Syrian people in 2024.

However, it is clear from the document provided by the Commission that, in view of the suspension of bilateral cooperation, no role is foreseen for the Syrian authorities in the organisational set-up for the action.

This political choice as regards implementing the action plan appears inconsistent, to say the least, with the development of relations between Syria, led by Bashar al-Assad, and the European Union[1], which is preparing to appoint a special envoy for Syria.

• 1.In the light of renewed relations with Syria, can the Commission explain how it intends to help all Syrians by excluding such a key actor as the Syrian authorities from the process of implementing this action plan?
• 2.Can the Commission clearly identify the ‘Syrian civil society’ actors whose involvement in the action plan is deemed ‘appropriate’ and state whether they are able to meet the needs of the entire Syrian population and of all the territories?

Submitted: 6.11.2024

• [1] 28/10/24 (Agence Europe) – ‘On Monday 28 October, the European Commission confirmed that the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is considering “appointing a special envoy for Syria”. This choice comes against a backdrop of Syrians returning to Syria from Lebanon, fleeing the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. A document obtained by Politico talks about development assistance in a war-torn country. There is talk of renewing relations with Syria, 13 years after diplomatic relations with Bashar al-Assad’s regime were severed in 2011. As a reminder, in May 2024, eight EU Member States said they were prepared to return Syrian refugees to safe areas in Syria.’