Leaders of France, Lebanon, Greece and Cyprus held a conference call with the Interim President of the Syrian Transition authority in Paris, on March 28th, 2025.
They welcomed the opening of a new track of discussions on the situation in Syria, involving Eastern Mediterranean neighbors aimed at supporting the transition process towards a unified, stable and peaceful Syria. As a result of their discussion, they agreed on the following steps:
- Sanctions. The leaders expressed their support for the further lifting of sanctions imposed on Syria, as per the March 20th EU Council Conclusions. The European Union has already decided to gradually lift some sectoral sanctions, effective on February 24th. In this context, France, Greece and Cyprus agreed to continue their efforts within the EU for the lifting of additional sanctions, as well as with to encourage other international partners to do so and will continue their close monitoring of the situation in Syria.
- Economic support. In line with the Brussels IX conference held on March 17th, 2025, they committed to increase economic support to the reconstruction of Syria, building on the conference held in Brussels on 17th March.
- They took these commitments based on an effective implementation by the Syrian transition authorities of the following steps:
- Political transition: the formation of an inclusive Government, respectful and representative of all components of the Syrian society from all origins and religious beliefs;
- Security: an effective coordination of the Syrian authorities’ forces with existing international mechanisms dedicated to the fight against terrorism, including the Anti-Daesh Coalition (Inherent resolve operation); They also welcomed the agreement reached on 10 March 2025 between the transitional authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces.
- Accountability: effective protection of all Syrian citizens from all origins and religious beliefs, and effective and fact-based accountability for the crimes committed against civilians, including during the recent violence on the Western Coast of Syria. They noted that comprehensive transitional justice in particular is essential on the path to reconciliation.
- Refugees. They expressed their support for a regional approach gathering relevant international donors, Syrian refugees and IDPs host countries, specialized agencies and development banks, integrating humanitarian and broader reconstruction, livelihood restauration and economic development in order to ensure the proper environment for the safe and dignified return of the Syrian refugees to their homes.
- Borders delimitation. They expressed their support for the delineation of Syria’s maritime borders on the basis of international maritime law, including UNCLOS, taking into account the interests of European neighbors, and committed to establish appropriate committees to that aim.
- Syrian sovereignty. They expressed their support for full respect of the sovereignty of Syria, including with regards to violations and interferences from foreign stakeholders and called for full withdrawal from the Syrian territory.
