Source: European Parliament
On 17 March 2025, the EU hosted the ninth Brussels Conference on ‘Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition’ to support Syria’s transition process and socioeconomic recovery, while also addressing the immediate humanitarian needs, both in Syria and the region. The conference brought together key regional and international partners, as well as members of the Syrian civil society. This being a ministerial event, Foreign Minister H.E. Asaad Hasan Al-Shaibani of the Syrian transitional government was the Syrian representative invited, who attended the Conference[1]. It is worth to remind that he is not listed under the EU restrictive measures against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant/Da’esh and Al-Qaeda (United Nations-EU mixed regime).
The fall of the Assad regime signals a historic moment for the Syrian people. In this critical period, the EU supports an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transition, guided by the respect for international law, human rights, fundamental freedoms, pluralism and tolerance among all components of Syrian society.
The EU welcomes the interim authorities’ recent first steps towards an inclusive transition, such as the National Dialogue Conference, the announcement of the new transitional government on 29 March 2025 and the agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces. The EU was gravely alarmed by the recent violent events in the coastal areas and strongly condemned the crimes committed against civilians[2]. In this context, it welcomed the swift establishment of an investigative committee to hold all perpetrators accountable. The EU will remain attentive to the statements but more importantly the actions of the new authorities in ensuring the protection and fundamental freedoms of all Syrians, without distinction.
- [1] See the press release of 18 March 2025: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/18/brussels-ix-conference-on-standing-with-syria-meeting-the-needs-for-a-successful-transition-joint-press-statement/.
- [2] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/03/11/syria-statement-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-european-union-on-the-recent-wave-of-violence/.