The EU must immediately appoint a special envoy to Syria, as well as use frozen assets of the former Assad government for reconstruction in the war-torn country, according to a non-paper submitted by Cyprus to the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Monday.

The document was co-submitted with Greece and Austria. It was presented by Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos at the Council meeting in Brussels.

A non-paper is an informal document put forward in closed negotiations within EU institutions, in order to seek agreement on some contentious procedural or policy issue.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, the document also proposes renewing the mandate of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for Syria, supporting an independent organisation dealing with the issue of missing persons, and allocating funds to safeguard the country’s cultural heritage.

At the same time, the non-paper expresses concern over the risks of a break-up of Syria, a rise in extremism, and a possible resurgence of the ‘Islamic State’.

It notes that the current juncture – after the fall of the Assad government – constitutes an historic moment, but adds that the situation remains highly fluid.

The EU should seek to work with Arab countries and with “international partners” and remain in contact with the new government that will arise in Syria.

The non-paper also proposes exemptions to sanctions in force against Syria, on humanitarian grounds.

Earlier, speaking to the media ahead of the Council meeting, Kombos said the EU should not simply be an observer or remain silent over developments in Syria.

“We are at a critical juncture and there are opportunities but also risks. The European Union has an interest and a responsibility in terms of the outcome. This is not the time to remain silent. This is not the time to be an observer.”

The European Union cannot be absent from these talks, he added.

Kombos underlined there should be an open and inclusive transition of power in Syria with respect for the rights of minorities, and not a replacement of a dictatorship with a new one influenced by new external actors.

Cyprus’ top diplomat said EU foreign ministers would focus on the latest developments “and the extremely volatile situation in Syria”, noting that “this is an extremely dangerous development”, but in which there is a “window of opportunity.”

He added: “Syria has been suffering for a long time and the Syrian people deserve much more. We call on the European Union to get more actively involved and we believe there is a very important role for the EU.”

There should be “a very clear path towards an open, transparent, autonomous and inclusive power transition with full protection of minority rights and full respect for Syria’s rich diversity”.

“There is no room for replacing the despotic regime with a new one, just with new internal and external protagonists.”

Kombos stressed the EU should be a “contributing force” and “a leader in terms of development, reconstruction and humanitarian aid, under the conditions that have been established in Syria”.

It should also be “a very dynamic mediator in terms of the transition process in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254”.

President Nikos Christodoulides on Sunday said Cyprus must have a leading role regarding Syria and its future, particularly due to its geographic proximity to the country.

He discussed the non-paper with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.