Speech at the Supporting Syria & the Region London 2016 Conference

Ladies and gentlemen,

For too long, the international community has turned a blind eye to the suffering of the Syrian people.

Only when arrivals of Syrian refugees in Europe spiked this summer,

after the World Food Organisation had run out of funds and saw itself forced to drastically cut food rations,

did we wake up to the humanitarian catastrophe on our doorstep.

Since, 2011, half of the Syrian population have fled their homes, running for their lives from the bombs of Assad and the brutality of Daesh.

More than four million Syrians have found shelter in Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. Half of them are children.

I would like to use this occasion today to warmly thank the governments of these countries for their generosity in hosting such large numbers of Syrian refugees.

For this display of human decency you deserve our honour.

Yet, understandably Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan have reached their limits.

We owe them our support.

And the refugees deserve our solidarity.

Refugees have a right to our protection!

Yet, too many face dire poverty, lack food and basic healthcare.

Nine in ten refugees live under the poverty line.

Half of the children don't go to school.

What a humanitarian scandal!

And how short-sighted!

These factors contribute to mass migration, fuel extremism and increase the risk of a lost generation that could dampen Syria’s chances of recovery after the war.

Most urgently we must, of course, assure that all refugees are provided with shelter, food and clothing. But we also need a longer term strategy.

Jordan and Lebanon have presented a long term national crisis response plan.

They want to preserve the dignity and livelihood of the Syrian refugees and at the same time prevent their own nationals from suffering from disadvantages.

This is a strong message of solidarity and pragmatism: They want to turn the presence of refugees in their country into an opportunity for all!

Both countries are ready to implement structural reform,

to adapt labour market regulation, to assure ALL children can go to school, to expand vocational training and programmes for young people as well as access to public services.

But Jordan and Lebanon cannot do it on their own.

They need the international community to support them: with foreign investment and technical assistance, with trade facilities and market access.

As announced by High Representative Federica Mogherini, the EU is already assessing together with our partners in the Region how to mobilise further our policies and instruments that have a positive impact on their economy and growth.

Expanding economic opportunity will reduce the need for humanitarian assistance,

it will allow for better integration and ensure that the refugees will have the skills needed to rebuild Syria after the war.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the European Parliament was the first to call for an increase of the budget for the external dimension of EU migration policy.

We have stuck to this line throughout the negotiations of the 2016 budget and we will continue to do so.

In the name of the European Parliament I appeal to you to match our ambition and provide more humanitarian aid and assistance to the people affected,

to address long term economic needs of host countries and therefore in and outside Syria, to fulfil your promises and to deliver on your pledges swiftly.

It's about time we help the Syrian refugees to build a future.