7 EU members say conditions in Syria should be reassessed to allow voluntary refugee returns

By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS
Associated Press

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The governments of seven European Union member states say the situation in Syria should be re-evaluated to allow for the voluntary return of Syrian refugees back to their homeland. In a joint statement, officials from Austria, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta and Poland said they agree on a re-assessment that would lead to “more effective ways of handling” Syrian refugees trying to reach European Union countries. The countries said the situation in Syria has “considerably evolved,” even though complete political stability hasn’t been achieved. Cyprus has in recent months seen an upsurge of Syrian refugees reaching the island nation primarily from Lebanon aboard rickety boats. Although Denmark attended the meeting, it later said that it did not sign the statement.