Damascus (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The interim president of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is expected to participate in an international donor summit for his nation in Brussels on March 17, a Syrian source and two diplomats familiar with the trip revealed, Reuters reported.
It will be Sharaa’s first visit to Europe since he was appointed interim president following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December. The meeting, hosted by the European Union, seeks to
“mobilise international support for an inclusive, peaceful transition”.
Two days ago, the European Commission stated that an invitation had been sent to the Syrian foreign minister for the 9th Brussels Conference on the war-torn land. Responding to questions regarding the latest developments in Syria during the European Commission’s daily press briefing, spokesperson Anitta Hipper affirmed that “an invite was sent” to Asaad al-Shaibani for the meeting on March 17.
What is the goal of the EU donor conference?
“We are all having an interest in the stabilization of Syria. It’s important that the work towards that happens, and this can only happen with an inclusive transition, because there’s no alternative to that,”
The spokesperson stated.
He said the meeting would be a “very important occasion” to continue working with the authorities on the circumstances on the ground and to consider how the EU could provide the best support.
“We should spare no effort in support of a peaceful and inclusive transition away from any foreign interference which guarantees the rights of all Syrians, without distinctions,”
She also said.
What role does the EU play in Syria’s stabilization?
Since 2017, the European Union has been organizing donor meetings in Brussels to support Syria. This year’s conference, Standing with Syria: Meeting the Needs for a Successful Transition, will be the first since the collapse of the Assad regime in December. It will also be the first meeting in which the Syrian administration will be partaking.
Last year in December, the EU foreign policy chief expressed that she charged the bloc’s top diplomat in Syria to go to Damascus and make connections with the new Syrian government.
“I’ve tasked the European top diplomat in Syria to go to Damascus to make contacts with the new government and people there,”
Kaja Kallas explained before the EU foreign ministers meet in Brussels.
“Our top diplomat in Syria will go to Damascus today,”
Kallas also said.
