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Syrian Conflict

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019

Tuesday, 29 January 2019

Questions (72, 73)

Clare Daly

Question:

72. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will reiterate the call to all regional participants to show restraint and avoid an escalation in the Syrian conflict in view of recent Israeli airstrikes on Syria; and if the intervention of Israel in the Syrian conflict will be condemned. [3969/19]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions that have taken place regarding the withdrawal of foreign military powers from the conflict in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4135/19]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.

I have frequently called on all regional actors, and all those involved in the Syria conflict to show restraint and avoid any escalation, which could further undermine regional stability, as well as adding to the suffering of civilians. I take this opportunity to reiterate that call. I also repeat my call on all parties with influence on the Syrian regime to exert that influence to ensure that civilians are protected, and to encourage the Syrian Government to engage fully with the UN-led peace process.  

Ireland and the EU firmly believe that there can be no military solution to the Syria crisis. The misery caused by the long-running conflict in Syria has been further prolonged by military support which has been provided to the Assad regime. The EU’s consistent position since the crisis began has been that the conflict can only be resolved by the Syrian people themselves.

Ireland and the EU strongly support the UN-led efforts to bring about a political resolution to the conflict. The EU provides direct assistance to the Geneva peace talks and has launched, in coordination with the UN, an initiative to develop political dialogue with key actors from the region to identify common ground. EU Foreign Ministers met with former UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, in the margins of the 2018 UN General Assembly, and reaffirmed our strong support for his work and that of his team. The EU will continue engagement with the new UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen. The UN Special Envoy’s work to bring about an end the conflict is undertaken in accordance with the 2012 Geneva Communiqué and UN Security Council resolution 2254, which are clear on the need for this to be a Syrian-led political process.

We support the UN Special Envoy’s ongoing efforts to establish a constitutional committee, made up of Syrians of different political views, to chart the way forward for the country. As part of his work to establish a constitutional committee, the UN Special Envoy has also been engaging directly with Russia, Turkey and Iran, and we believe that they have a responsibility to support and assist his efforts.

I do not condone or support the recent Israeli attacks into Syria. Nor do I support or condone the presence in Syria of other external forces who have been assisting the regime in the violent suppression of its own people, and who have used Syrian territory to launch attacks into Israel. There are significant Iranian forces in Syria, which have been assisting the regime in the violent suppression of its own people. This is unhelpful and unwelcome. It is also quite clear that Russia’s support for the Assad regime has prolonged the suffering of the Syrian people. Russia has also repeatedly vetoed UN Security Council resolutions on Syria, which has seriously undermined the protection of Syrian civilians.

Turkey has borne a heavy burden in terms of knock-on effects of the Syria conflict, including hosting millions of refugees, as well as a risk of spill-over of violence and its concern about the conflict raging on its southern border is understandable.  However, our messages to Turkey, in relation to its operations in Syria, have emphasised our overarching concern for the protection of civilians, and urged caution to avoid escalating the conflict any further. Our primary concern is for the safety and well-being of civilians on both sides of the border, especially displaced and vulnerable communities, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds, all of whom are entitled to protection and safety.

I take this opportunity to reiterate my unreserved condemnation of the violence perpetrated against civilians that has characterized the Syrian conflict to date, most notably by the Government and its allies, and the appalling acts committed by Da'esh.

I expect that the upcoming EU-League of Arab States Ministerial meeting in February will provide an occasion to discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria with my EU counterparts, as well as with those neighbouring countries most directly affected by the crisis in Syria. 

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