Press release
Syrian Opposition Coalition
Department of Media and Communications
January 24, 2022
The Syrian Opposition Coalition’s (SOC) welcomes the EU Foreign Affairs Council’s reiteration at its latest meeting of refusal to legitimize the Assad regime and its emphasis on the need for a political transition in Syria.
The European Union reaffirmed its rejection of normalization of relations with the Assad regime, lifting the sanctions, and contribution to reconstruction before political transition is put in place in line with UN Security Council resolution 2254. The EU also called for an end to repression and impunity, the release of detainees, and the disclosure of the fate of the missing.
The EU also stressed the Assad regime’s failure to suppress the revolution militarily after more than ten years of killing and displacement of millions of Syrians. It also said that the Assad regime is mainly to blame for making Syria a failed state with a devastated economy, as well as for the continued obstruction of the political process.
The SOC views this EU position as consistent with the measures to isolate the regime and maintain sanctions on it in preparation for holding all its symbols to account, chief among them is Bashar al-Assad. This position is also consistent with the current reality as the Assad regime and its backers continue to commit the most heinous crimes in Syria, which necessitates a permanent affirmation by the international community on the necessity of political transition and accountability.
The SOC calls on all forces and international organizations to further isolate the Assad regime and refuse to give it a lifeline through bids for legitimization and rehabilitation, or through suggesting proposals that contradict UN resolutions and risk contributing to rehabilitation of the regime.
