Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether there is demonstrable consistency in the EU's approach to regimes encountering domestic democracy and rights movements across the Arab world with the proposed EU resolution that will suspend bilateral co-operation programmes with Syria, calls on the European Investment Bank to suspend new financing arrangements in Syria, and imposes a new set of sanctions on that country. [20093/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The EU's response to the momentous events in North Africa and the Middle East has been directed towards encouraging transitions to democracy across the region. The conditions and circumstances of each country appropriately determine the response in each country but the guiding principle of encouraging and incentivising a transition to democracy and greater political and economic reforms has been consistent throughout the region.

In relation to Syria, the EU is reacting to an ongoing, brutal and nationwide crackdown against peaceful protesters which has left over 1,400 people dead since the protests began in March. In particular, Ireland and the EU are concerned about the fatal shootings of unarmed protestors, the detention of thousands of Syrians for participating in protests, torture including of children and in some cases so severe as to cause death, and the large-scale deployments of the Syrian military against civilians. The situation in Syria is more severe than any other country in the region apart from Libya. Military action is not an option, partly because Russia and China have made it clear they would veto any such proposal at the UN Security Council and partly because engagement in Libya means that there is a reluctance to intervene elsewhere. The EU has focussed on other political and economic measures to persuade President Assad to change course from the current ruinous strategy of violent repression.

Accordingly, the EU Foreign Affairs Council agreed in May that it would not take further steps with regard to the conclusion of the EU-Syrian Association Agreement and to suspend bilateral cooperation programmes with the Syrian authorities, except those benefiting Iraqi refugees, regional projects or projects with civil society or international organisations. The EU has also imposed sanctions targeted at individuals and entities within the ruling regime, including President Assad, responsible for, or associated with, the violent repression against the civilian population. The EU has also suspended a guarantee to the European Investment Bank against losses incurred on projects outside the Community area. EIB operations in Syria already in train will continue as these can only be suspended in the case of the borrower not meeting its contractual obligations.

I fully support the steps taken by the EU, including these targeted measures, which are aimed at achieving a fundamental change of policy by the Syrian leadership. These measures will remain in place until there is an end to unacceptable violence against the civilian population, and decisive progress towards fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. I urge the government of Syria to end its violent attacks on its own civilians and immediately allow an independent investigation into the horrific events of recent months. I note the recent launch of dialogue in Syria and hope that this results in a meaningful debate leading without undue delay to genuine reforms. The EU stands ready to reverse the measures it has taken if Syria opts for the path of reconciliation and reform.

The EU will continue to tailor its approach to each country in the region as it unfolds, bearing in mind the relative severity of events, and the willingness of the government in question to engage in dialogue and undertake meaningful reforms. At all times, the EU's guiding principle is to encourage transitions to democracy across the region.