Press remarks by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas at press conference

EEAS 

Full speech of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas:

Thank you, I am happy to be here. It is my first foreign Affairs Council – and I can tell you, it is different than the European Council. And you know, it was the first, so we can always do better.

We had many issues on the agenda; key items were Syria’s transition, Ukraine, and Georgia.

I have updates for you on all three [issues].

First, on Syria.

I debriefed the Ministers on my visit to Jordan where I met with the Arab leaders as well as Türkiye and the United States, to discuss the basic principles that we all agree on – for the engagement with the new leadership of Syria. How we will engage in that respect.

I announced earlier today that our top diplomat will go to Damascus. He has been there now. It is not the Special Envoy, but our Head of Delegation who is currently stationed in Beirut, and that went to Damascus and had some high-level or had some meetings there.

The aim is to be in contact with the country’s new authorities, and to convey the messages to the group about how they also intend to govern, so that we understand all this.

There are the basic principles that everybody agreed with the Arab countries, the neighbouring countries, Türkiye and the United States, and the European Union as well. These are the principles of territorial integrity; sovereignty; accountability. Also, inclusiveness of government – taking into account especially the minorities and women’s rights in this case.

This process has to be Syria-led and Syria-owned and reflect the Syrian people in all of its diversity. This is very important.

Extremism, Russia and Iran should have no place in Syria’s future.

In parallel, of course the European Union remains the biggest humanitarian aid donor to the Syrian people. Since Assad’s fall, we opened an air bridge for 100 tons of humanitarian aid to support health, education, and shelter.

Going forward, I can announce that we will be organising the 9th Brussels Syria conference that is meant to be a fundraising conference here in Brussels.

We stand with the Syrian people throughout this transition, as we did when it was [under] Assad’s brutal rule.

We also discussed broader developments in the Middle East.

On Gaza, Ministers reiterated the need for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the delivery of sufficient and unimpeded humanitarian aid.

We also need to have a Dialogue to push for that, and the Two-State Solution. So, I proposed to have an Association Council with Israel. That was also supported by Ministers. Then, also after that, the first High-Level Dialogue with the Palestinian Authority soon.

Second big topic was Ukraine.

Today we continued our push to limit Russia’s ability to wage war:

First, we adopted the 15th sanctions package against Russia. This round targets the [Russian] shadow fleet, North Korean officials, and for the first time, Chinese firms making drones for Moscow. Our message is very clear: You cannot fuel a war in Europe and get away with it.

At the same time, Ukraine needs our support on the battlefield. The stronger they are on the battlefield, the stronger they are also behind the negotiation table. Not just to hold on, but to tilt the balance to their favour – because Putin will not stop unless he is stopped.

I think what the fall of Assad’s regime also showed is that Russia is weakened, and you cannot put your bets on Putin. He does not support you when you need him.

We must support Ukraine militarily. By end of winter, the European Union will have trained 75,000 Ukrainian troops. This month, the EU provided Ukraine €4.2 billion to support its budget. From January, we will be providing €1.5 billion per month.

But more support is needed. As Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha told us when he joined us by video, it is a very difficult situation for Ukraine on the battlefield.

We all heard him loud and clear: Ukraine needs more ammunition, stronger air defence and more support for its own defence industry as well. We must give Ukraine what it needs to win this war.

Third topic was Georgia.

The situation is not going in a positive direction for the Georgian people. Democracies do not oppress opposition voices or curtail the freedom of media.

In response, we have downgraded political contacts and cut funding for the Georgian government.

Today, we agreed the need to hold the visa free regime for diplomatic passport holders, and Commission will make a proposal already this year.

We also discussed the sanctioning of these Georgian officials who are behind the violence against peaceful protesters.

Going forward, we will continue to stand with the Georgian people, including by redirecting funding from the authorities towards the civil society, the Georgian people and independent media.

Because the future of Georgia, as it is in Syria for all Syrians, is for the people of Georgia to decide what the future can be.