Events

Conflict and Fragility

The evolution of EU policy on Syria and its current challenges
22 Mar 2021 16:00 - 17:15
Source: Shutterstock
Introduction

This virtual conversation serves as side event to the Brussels-V conference

Syria’s battlefields are relatively stable, but undecided. At the same time, poverty is growing, the Syrian pound has plunged new depths while destitution stalks the land. Syrian refugees across the region find themselves increasingly less welcome. Although the EU cannot affect the military equation and is hamstrung in influencing the diplomatic state of play, it is also instrumental in helping Syrian civil society to survive and essential to ongoing humanitarian efforts. Should the EU move beyond its Band-Aid approach? Can it?

​​​​​​​The conversation

Join a dynamic conversation on this topic between Carl Hallergard (Deputy Managing Director MENA, European External Action Service), Joseph Daher (Professor, European University Institute), Rajaa Altalli (Co-founder, Center for Civil Society and Democracy) and Erwin van Veen (Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute).

  • How well has the EU’s humanitarian focus worked out?
  • How useful are sanctions at this point in time?
  • For how long is EU policy on refugees sustainable?
  • Is it time to shift away from the demand for ‘a political transition’?​​​​​​​