European countries such as Italy, Germany, France and the UK have all made moves to show goodwill towards the new opposition government in Syria, 10 days after President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown and took refuge in Russia.
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| The French flag is raised at the French Embassy in Damascus, Syria. (Source: Reuters) |
* AFP news agency quoted a source as saying that on December 17, a French diplomatic and security delegation arrived in the Syrian capital Damascus, marking an important step in improving bilateral relations.
According to the source, this is the first time since 2012 that the French flag has been raised at the French Embassy in the Muhajirin area of Damascus. The French delegation met with officials of the transitional government in Syria.
For his part, speaking to the press, French Special Envoy for Syria Jean-Francois Guillaume declared that Paris is ready and prepared to accompany this Middle Eastern country for the long term, including the current transition period, "which we hope will take place in peace ".
The envoy said his visit to Syria, as head of the French diplomatic mission, was also aimed at "establishing contact with the de facto authorities in Damascus".
The visit comes shortly after a British delegation arrived in the Syrian capital the night before. According to British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, London has established diplomatic contact with the opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has led the assault on Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
* Similarly, a delegation representing the German government traveled to the capital Damascus to discuss with the HTS forces in power in Syria about a comprehensive transition in the Middle Eastern country and the protection of minorities.
The German Foreign Ministry spokesman also said that the government is considering the possibility of a diplomatic presence in Damascus and is currently "closely monitoring the activities of HTS and the interim government".
* On the same day, December 17, at the National Assembly, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that the country is ready to cooperate with the new leadership of Syria in coordination with European and other international allies.
He noted that while “the first signs look encouraging, extreme caution is needed.”
* High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas also said that the alliance will reopen its mission in Syria and officially start operating soon.
Ms Kallas asked the head of the EU delegation to go to Damascus to establish contact with HTS, the new leadership in Syria and many other groups.
Explaining Europe's push for diplomatic contact with Syria, on the same day, December 17, President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula Von der Leyen said that the risk of the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization rising in Syria is real and the international community cannot let this happen.
According to her, the EU will increase "direct dialogue" with the new government, HTS forces and other factions in Syria.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tinh-hinh-syria-phap-co-dong-thai-lon-o-damascus-cac-nuoc-chau-au-thi-nhau-to-long-thanh-eu-bat-mi-mot-ly-do-297772.html
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