Civil war - Germany sends ambassador back to Syria
Despite the ongoing Civil War in Syria, Italy plans to send a ambassador back to Damascus after over a decade. This was announced by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani before the relevant committees of the Parliament in Rome. In the past few years, Italy, like other countries of the European Union, had handled diplomatic matters in Syria through its embassy in Beirut. The Italian embassy in Damascus was never officially closed.
Tajani justified the deployment with the fact that the EU should not leave "monopoly" to Moscow in Syria. Russia is considered one of the protectors of President Bashar al-Assad. There has been a civil war in Syria since 2011 with over 300,000 civilian casualties. Despite widespread isolation by the West, Assad currently controls about two thirds of the country with his power apparatus.
Italy's Foreign Minister added that the EU's Syria policy must be adapted to the "development of the situation". He is in agreement with his colleagues from Austria, Croatia, Greece, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Slovakia. Italy has been governed by a coalition of three right-wing parties for two years.
- Although Italy had been handling Syria-related diplomacy through its embassy in Beirut due to the Civil War, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani indicated a desire to send an ambassador back to Damascus after a decade-long absence.
- Tajani emphasized that the EU should not let Russia monopolize diplomatic efforts in Syria, as Moscow is considered a key supporter of President Bashar al-Assad, who has been in power despite widespread Western isolation and over 300,000 civilian casualties since the start of the conflict in 2011.
- In line with this, Italy's Foreign Minister stated that the EU's Syria policy should be adapted to the ongoing "development of the situation," receiving support from Austria, Croatia, Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus, and Slovakia.
- Despite the ongoing conflicts in Syria, Rome has been governing with a coalition of three right-wing parties for the past two years.
- After the announcement, the Italian ambassador to Damascus, Romano de Bellis, is expected to resume his duties, reopening the Italian embassy in the Syrian capital.
- The move by Italy to reestablish diplomatic ties with Damascus has sparked debate within Europe, with some EU members opposing the move due to concerns over human rights violations by the Assad regime.
