Riyadh (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Top diplomats from Europe and the Middle East travel to the Saudi capital for discussions on Syria on January 12, 2025.
As reported by AFP, a Saudi official said that the talks would extend in two sessions: the first will be attended by Arab officials, while the second will feature vaster participation, including from Turkey, France, the EU, the UK and the United Nations.
Notable attendees included Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and U.S. Under Secretary of State John Bass, reflecting a broad international interest in Syria’s stabilization. U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bass is also to participate, coming from talks in Turkey that partly covered the significance of regional stability, stopping Syria from being used as a base for terrorism, and confirming the enduring defeat of the Islamic State group, the State Department stated.

The purpose of the Saudi-hosted Syria talks
These meetings would be focused on the restoration of stability in Syria and the amelioration of the humanitarian disaster caused by the conflict that started more than 13 years ago. One main point was when sanctions against the Assad regime were lifted, with the new leaders forming an open, inclusive government for the protection of minority rights.
European Union top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on January 10, 2025, that the EU could start to lift sanctions on Syria if the new leadership in the country takes significant steps toward forming an inclusive government that protects minority rights. She stressed that any easing of sanctions would depend on “tangible progress” by the Syrian authorities.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the new Syrian leader, has adopted the issue of sanctions relief to help the war-torn country regain its footing. The objective of the meeting was to harmonize international cooperation for the transition of Syria and recovery efforts. While Saudi Arabia recently severed ties with Assad in 2012, it recently welcomed him back into the Arab League. The kingdom also has been offering humanitarian assistance to Syria in terms of foodstuffs, medical supplies, and others.