Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced on Tuesday that the European Union will establish contact with Syria’s new leadership and reopen its representative office in Damascus.
Kallas stated on social media platform X: “We cannot leave a vacuum in Syria.” She added, “We have begun a cautious engagement process with the new leadership and Syrian civil society, and we will reopen the EU representative office in Syria to foster constructive dialogue.”
According to Reuters, von der Leyen pledged increased humanitarian aid to Syria while warning against the resurgence of ISIS militants. She emphasized the need to prevent extremist groups from re-establishing their influence in the region.
After the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany have sent diplomats to Syria for discussions with Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the Tahrir al-Sham group. For the first time in 12 years, the French flag has been raised above the French Embassy in Damascus.
The EU’s decision to reopen its office and engage with Syria’s leadership signals a shift toward stabilizing the country and addressing critical humanitarian needs. Rebuilding Syria will require coordinated international efforts to avoid further power vacuums or extremist activity.
The re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Syria’s new leadership underscores the EU’s intent to take an active role in the region’s recovery. It also opens pathways for enhanced cooperation with other stakeholders to address shared concerns such as terrorism and refugee crises.
The EU’s strategic re-engagement with Syria highlights the importance of fostering peace, rebuilding infrastructure, and supporting civil society. Long-term stability will depend on collaboration between international actors and Syria’s new leadership.
With the reopening of its representative office, the EU demonstrates its commitment to aiding Syria’s recovery while ensuring the region does not fall prey to extremist influences or geopolitical rivalries.
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