Syria: Eight EU Members Propose Review For Voluntary Refugee Returns

The governments of eight European Union member states proposed a re-evaluation of the situation in Syria to enable the voluntary repatriation of Syrian refugees to their country. In a collective statement, authorities from Austria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Poland advocated for a reassessment that aimed at developing more effective approaches for managing Syrian refugees seeking entry into European Union nations.

The talks held during a summit meeting in the Cypriot capital said the situation in Syria has considerably evolved even though complete political stability has not been achieved. Additionally, the EU should further boost support for Lebanon to “mitigate the risk of even greater flows from Lebanon to the EU.” 

A Cypriot official said that any re-evaluation of conditions within Syria wouldn’t necessarily conclude that Syrian refugees will be deported back to their country. Instead, those hailing from areas re-designated as safe would lose any allowances, benefits, and the right to work, creating a disincentive for others to come to Cyprus. “Decisions as to who has the right to cross a member state’s borders should be taken by the government of the relevant member state and not by criminal networks engaged in migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings,” said the joint declaration. 

The EU announced earlier this month an aid package of 1 billion euros (US 1.06 billion) for Lebanon, aiming to boost border controls to halt the flow of asylum seekers and migrants to Cyprus and Italy. In Lebanon, more than 300 Syrian refugees returned to Syria this week as anti-refugee sentiments have been surging.