The Brussels Donors’ Conference on Syria: €800 million allocated for early recovery support, accompanied by protests targeting Al-Shibani.
As the Ninth Brussels Donors’ Conference for Syria convened, European statements highlighted the challenges and hopes surrounding the Syrian issue and its developments following the fall of the previous Syrian regime.
International Commitments and Humanitarian Warnings:
During the conference, the President of the European Commission announced the European Union’s commitment to providing €2.5 billion in humanitarian aid to the Syrian people until next year, noting that “the road to recovery is still long.” She also made a positive reference to the new Syrian government’s alignment with the Kurds. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that “the road ahead is fraught with risks,” citing the destruction of infrastructure and the increasing humanitarian needs of more than two-thirds of Syrians.
Calls for Commitment to International Law:
The President of the International Committee of the Red Cross stressed that assisting Syria requires its leaders to commit to respecting international law, expressing hope that the country is “at a historic crossroads” that could lead to peace.
Syrian Stances and Calls for Dialogue:
Syrian Foreign Minister Asad Al-Shibani emphasized the need to lift the economic sanctions imposed on Syria. He added that “Israel violates the 1974 Agreement and encroaches on Syrian lands,” considering the new government as “the sole guarantor of peace.” He rejected the policies of the former regime that exploited minorities and reaffirmed his belief in “citizenship for all Syrians.”
European Union Initiatives:
The EU’s Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas, unveiled a plan to establish a civil society dialogue in Damascus this year, focusing on security cooperation and the management of prisons housing terrorists. She also condemned “the targeting of civilians” and warned against “external parties seeking to fuel conflicts.” The EU stressed that “Syria must be a country without sectarian violence,” pointing to an economic loss of $800 billion in Syria over the past years.
Protests in Brussels:
Coinciding with the conference, the Belgian capital witnessed protests against violations and massacres in Syria’s coastal region, reflecting ongoing international and internal tensions surrounding the crisis.
