Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders believes the European Union must do everything in its power, in consultation with Lebanon and other countries in the region, to find a solution to the conflict in Syria. ‘Only then can we really bring the refugee crisis to an end,’ he said during a recent visit to Lebanon.
‘It’s not merely a question of border controls and quotas’ Mr Koenders emphasised. ‘If the war in Syria doesn’t come to an end, people will keep coming. The Netherlands will keep underlining this fact.’ The conflict in Syria has prompted almost 1.2 million Syrians to flee to neighbouring Lebanon. ‘The EU and its member states need to talk to the Lebanese about tackling the problems, too, because they are familiar with both the issues and the region,’ Mr Koenders said.
The minister visited Haouch el Harime refugee camp near the Syrian border to see the situation for himself. ‘You see and hear from those on the ground that the capacity and standard of care for refugees is under tremendous pressure,’ he said. ‘The Netherlands wants to help improve the situation, not only for the refugees but also for their Lebanese host communities. I’m very impressed by the work of the Lebanese and of the aid organisations who are trying to ease people’s suffering.’
Mr Koenders believes it is important that refugees can stay near to their country of origin and return as soon as possible. ‘But Lebanon also deserves all the support we can give to ensure it can continue to help these people and improve conditions for them, without its own population suffering too. We must also call upon the Gulf states and other countries to take in refugees,’ he said.
The minister announced in Beirut that the Netherlands was donating €25 million for emergency aid to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. This is part of the €110 million that the Dutch government recently made available to help people who are suffering as a result of the war in Syria.
Koenders envisages role for Iran in restoring stability to region
Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders is convinced that Iran can help solve the conflicts in Syria and other countries in the region. ‘Iran is an important player. The Netherlands would like to see it play a constructive role in countries like Syria and Yemen.’ Koenders was speaking during a recent visit to the Iranian capital Tehran, where he and his Iranian counterpart Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif discussed the urgent situation in Syria and other matters.
Koenders also met the Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani, and congratulated him on the international agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.
‘The agreement provides a basis for improving relations between Iran and the international community,’ Koenders said, ‘but it is only a start. Iran must implement all the agreements fully and on time to show that it is a reliable partner.’
Koenders believes better relations between Iran and the West signal opportunities for the use of regional and international diplomacy to find solutions to the major problems facing the region. ‘I have asked Iran to use its influence over certain parties to achieve a political solution to conflicts in the region,’ he said.
Broader and closer relations with Iran will also provide more opportunities to discuss difficult issues like human rights, Koenders believes. During his visit he made clear the Netherlands’ concerns about the situation and raised the issue of the many executions Iran carries out. ‘The Netherlands campaigns for the abolition of the death penalty throughout the world. I conveyed our position to the Iranian authorities.’
As part of the revived relationship with Iran, the Netherlands also hopes to restore economic and trade relations. If Iran complies with the nuclear agreement, the current international sanctions will gradually be relaxed. ‘That will mean interesting prospects for Dutch companies to trade with Iranian companies,’ said Koenders.
