PASOK MEP and Vice-President of the Group of Socialists and Democrats, Yannis Maniatis, with a question addressed to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaia Kallas.
As the relevant press release notes, Yannis Maniatis had expressed his deep concern regarding the ongoing attacks against Orthodox Christians in the city of Suqaylabiyah, as well as regarding the safety of life, property, and cultural heritage of the country’s religious and ethnic minorities under the new transitional regime.
In her reply, the High Representative emphasizes that “the EU’s strategy is based on the conviction that lasting peace and stability can only be achieved through an inclusive transition that meets the expectations of all Syrians, regardless of their ethnic or religious background, without discrimination.”
At the same time, she notes that “the European Union also calls on all parties involved to preserve Syria’s diverse cultural heritage and religious sites.”
Kaja Kallas emphasizes, among other things, that “the EU continues to call for thorough investigations and for all those responsible for the violence in Syria to be held accountable,” stressing that “accountability is crucial to the pursuit of national reconciliation and an inclusive transition,” while “it remains vigilant regarding respect for the human rights of all Syrians.”
Furthermore, he notes that in 2025, the EU added new entries to the sanctions list targeting human rights violators and “will continue to monitor the situation on the ground, as well as the transitional authorities’ follow-through on their commitments.”
Yannis Maniatis states:
“The European Union must remain steadfastly committed to protecting Orthodox Christians and all religious and ethnic communities in Syria. Despite the assurances of the European Commission and the declarations of the interim government, conditions in the country for most communities remain extremely unstable and precarious, as in many cases violence against Christians continues.
The protection of life, property, and cultural heritage must be a fundamental prerequisite and criterion for the international community’s continued support of Syria. For this reason, we remain constantly vigilant and continue to monitor developments closely.”