As a result of the meeting, the EU countries as well as Estonia, which will take Poland’s place in the Council from 2020, issued a statement expressing their deep concern at Turkey’s military operation and calling on Turkey to cease the offensive. Poland and other EU countries stressed that these actions will further undermine the stability of the whole region, exacerbate civilian suffering, and provoke further displacements. They also highlighted that international humanitarian law should be unconditionally respected and all parties of the conflict should ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian relief personnel. Poland and other EU countries emphasised that any attempt at demographic change would be unacceptable, adding that the EU will not provide development assistance in areas where the rights of local populations are ignored.

Poland and other EU countries pointed out that Turkey’s military operation threatens the progress achieved to defeat Da'esh – a terrorist organisation that is a threat to regional and international security. At the same time Poland and other EU countries stressed that Turkey, as the EU’s partner and the UN member, remains an important actor in the Global Coalition to defeat Da'esh.

Poland and other EU countries stated that a sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict can be achieved only through a political transition in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2245 and the 2012 Geneva Communique.

The activities undertaken by Poland in relation to the current situation in Syria are in accord with the priorities of Poland’s membership in the UN Security Council, which include protection of civilians in armed conflicts, respect for international humanitarian law, and conflict prevention.

As a result of Poland’s efforts, EU countries developed a statement on recent developments in north-east Syria, which was issued on 9 October, the day Turkey launched its military operation in Syria.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/pl/press/press-releases/2019/10/09/declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-recent-developments-in-north-east-syria/?utm_source=dsms-auto&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Declaration+by+the+High+Representative+on+behalf+of+the+EU+on+recent+developments+in+north-east+Syria

 

MFA Press Office