Ten years since the beginning of the war in Syria: Bulgaria is part of an international effort to improve the lives of the Syrian people
15 March 2021 News
Started as a peaceful protest demanding democracy, the conflict in Syria has been taking lives for ten years and depriving the Syrian people of hope for the future.
The conflict in Syria continues to generate risks to peace and security not only nationally and regionally, but also globally. Violent hostilities and extremely difficult and dangerous living conditions, as well as lack of access to basic services such as water and electricity, medical care, food and education, have led to the largest-scale refugee and humanitarian crisis of its kind, which involves currently more than 11 million Syrians. There are conditions for the development of terrorist activity, which, combined with migration, further increases the level of security threats in the region and Europe.
Undoubtedly, the only way to find a lasting and just solution for the Syrian people to the conflict in Syria and to establish stability in the region is through a political process, based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and the Geneva Communiqué. A key priority in this process is to support the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria in a genuine, sustainable and comprehensive political intra-Syrian dialogue. We share the disappointment expressed by UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen at the lack of progress in the work of the Constitutional Committee and reaffirm our full support for its efforts and the UN-sponsored political process in Syria.
All parties to the conflict must commit to ensuring the protection of civilians and ensuring easy, safe and sustainable access to humanitarian aid throughout Syria.
Bulgaria is part of the efforts of the international community and in particular the EU, aimed at improving the living conditions of the Syrian people. Our country will also take part in the Fifth Donor Conference in Support of the Syrian People, which will be held on March 29-30 in Brussels under the title "In Support of the Future of Syria and the Region." Its implementation is important and timely in view of the constantly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria. The main goal of the forum is to clearly state support for a peaceful solution to the conflict in Syria and to generate financial resources to meet the humanitarian needs of Syrians inside and outside the country.
For the period 2016-2020, Bulgaria has provided humanitarian aid to Syria and the region in the total amount of more than 1 million euros. In addition, we regularly fulfil our commitment under the Refugee Facility in Turkey, which amounts to more than EUR 9 million for the entire period of the two tranches (2016-2023).