European Union members on Wednesday discussed ways to increase the voluntary return of Syrian refugees to the war-torn country, an idea that has gained traction in recent months but remains controversial.

The talks between ambassadors were promoted by Hungary, the country that currently chairs the presidency of the EU Council, and were based on a document presented by the European Commission, several diplomats said.

The document highlights the role played by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in supporting the return of Syrian refugees, which the EU seeks to strengthen.

These returns would occur on a strictly voluntary basis. The bloc cannot forcibly deport Syrians because they are almost always granted asylum. Furthermore, the principle of no refund prohibits authorities from deporting immigrants to countries where they could face persecution, torture or any other form of mistreatment.

The ambassadors also addressed the lack of diplomatic relations with the autocratic regime of Bashar al-Assad, which has publicly called for its citizens to return, and the tense situation in the Middle East, where hostilities between Israel and Lebanon have sparked the movement of dozens of people. of thousands of people to Syria.

The start of the Syrian Civil War in 2011 prompted millions of people to flee their homes and seek international protection in neighboring countries, with many crossing into Europe.

The UNHRC estimates that European countries host more than a million Syrian asylum seekers and refugees, of which 59% reside in Germany alone. Sweden, Austria, Greece, the Netherlands and France are also home to significant populations.

Last year, some 38,300 Syrian refugees chose to return, the agency said in an annual overviewnoting that conditions within the country were “not yet conducive to facilitating large-scale voluntary returns in conditions of safety and dignity.”

Concerns about security, livelihoods, basic services and housing were cited as reasons for the low rate of repatriations. About 90% of the population in Syria lives in poverty.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has warned that “Syrians fleeing violence in Lebanon risk repression and persecution by the Syrian government upon their return, including enforced disappearances, torture, and death in custody.”

A similar assessment is shared by the Commission, which has repeatedly said that the current circumstances in Syria cannot guarantee safe and dignified repatriations.

Talks between member states are expected to continue in the coming months, with no immediate progress in sight. However, the fact that the discussion is taking place indicates a growing political will to address the controversial issue.

Earlier this month, EU leaders endorsed a hardened approach to migration management and tasked the Commission with exploring outsourcing projects and reviewing the concept of “safe third countries” to speed up deportations.

The Brussels summit included Syria as one of the items on the agenda. “The European Council reaffirms the need to achieve conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Syrian refugees, as defined by UNHCR,” the leaders said in their conclusions.

In July, Italy and Austria led a joint letter of eight Member States calling for a new EU strategy on Syria that should be “more active, results-oriented and operational”.

The European External Action Service (EEAS), the bloc’s diplomatic arm, has confirmed that it is considering appointing a special envoy for Syria, one of Italy’s key demands.

Since 2011, the EU and Member States have allocated more than €30 billion in humanitarian and development aid to support Syrians in the country and the region.