Mogherini briefs European Parliament on Turkey, Syria, EU security and defence
Mogherini informed the Parliament about the leading role the EU continues to play in bringing humanitarian aid to the Syrian city of Aleppo.
“Believe me when I tell you our frustration about not managing to do more, but all the humanitarian work that is done is basically thanks also, I cannot say all, but almost all, to the funding, the work, the support, the logistics, the commitment of the European Union,” she said.
Mogherini told MEPs how she had held talks over recent weeks with the leaders of a number of countries with a stake in the future of Syria, to discuss scenarios for the country once the war comes to an end.
“What I am trying to do is to identify areas of common ground and possible elements of a positive agenda with all the key actors. The issues that we are discussing in the framework of this outreach include political accountability, decentralisation or devolution, participation and protection of all components of the very diverse Syrian society.
“The European Union is and will be ready to engage in the economic reconstruction of the country, together with other partners. But, let me stress, as I stress it to our partners in the region, this will only happen once a political transition has begun under the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 2254,” she said.
The High Representative also briefed the Parliament on her proposals on EU security and defence, pointing to "13 new proposals to match the new level of ambition" that the 28 member states agreed upon at the last meeting of EU foreign ministers. These include more efficient defence spending, better rapid response, joint planning and conduct of training and advisory missions and a new Permanent Structured Cooperation.
“We stand at a crucial juncture in our work towards an EU of security and defence,” she said.
“We are now turning the vision in the Global Strategy into concrete, effective and immediate action and we are doing it in unity.”
On Turkey, Mogherini warned of “extremely worrying developments” and underlined how important it is for the EU to engage with the Turkish government.
“Our relationship with Turkey is at a crossroads, because Turkey is at a crossroads,” she said.
“We have always been clear that the Turkish authorities have a legitimate right to hold the perpetrators of the coup and of terrorist attacks accountable for their actions.
“At the same time, we know that the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is the strongest antidote to extremism and terrorism.
“Our relations with Turkey have reached a crucial point. I believe the best way to strengthening Turkey’s democracy – the most effective way – is by engaging with it, by keeping channels open,” Mogherini told MEPs.
"If Turkey moves further away from our European Union and from democracy, it would lose part of its own heritage and identity, and culture, and power. This would be in no one’s interest, and certainly not in the interest of the Turkish people,” the High Representative concluded.