Greece Engages with Syria: Foreign Minister Meets Interim President
Greece’s Foreign Minister, Giorgos Gerapetritis, met Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, signaling a renewed diplomatic engagement. This meeting is part of a recent trend where various countries are expressing willingness to build ties with Syria after years of isolation. Concurrently, the EU is considering easing sanctions due to the evolving political landscape in Syria.
Giorgos Gerapetritis, Greece’s Foreign Minister, met with Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus over the weekend. This meeting is part of a broader initiative where various countries are looking to strengthen ties with Syria following the Assad regime. The discussions signify diplomatic thawing, especially after years of diplomatic isolation for Syria.
The meeting was officially acknowledged by the Syrian presidency, which reported that Al-Sharaa and the foreign minister of the interim government, Asaad al-Shibani, welcomed the Greek delegation. While specific details were not disclosed, this engagement comes as other European diplomats, including those from Germany and France, have also recently visited Syria, signaling a trend towards engagement with the Syrian administration.
Greece had previously closed its embassy in Syria in July 2012, soon after the Syrian conflict escalated, and only reopened it in June 2021 during Bashar al-Assad’s presidency. This move to rebuild relations with Syria has occurred at a time when most nations remained reluctant to engage with the Assad government, emphasizing Greece’s unique diplomatic stance.
In December of the previous year, Al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group effectively ousted Assad’s regime, leading to a transitional government in Syria. This shift in power dynamics has prompted a reassessment from many countries toward reestablishing diplomatic channels with Syria.
Recent developments from the European Union indicate a willingness to ease sanctions against Syria, focusing initially on critical sectors like energy. This initiative aims to provide much-needed relief to the war-affected nation, reflecting a significant change in the EU’s approach toward sanctions currently imposed on Syria and its leadership.
The diplomatic landscape concerning Syria has been transforming, especially after the recent political upheavals. Following a period of isolation, the Syrian interim government is now seeing increased visits from foreign diplomats, indicating a readiness among some nations to engage with Syria during its transitional phase. Greece’s renewed relations contrast with the broader reluctance of many other countries to normalize interactions with Bashar al-Assad, who was in power until recently.
The meeting between Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa marks a significant diplomatic step towards rebuilding relations with Syria. This engagement aligns with a broader trend of increased diplomatic visits to Syria, as the European Union contemplates easing sanctions in light of shifting power dynamics. As these developments unfold, the future of international relations with Syria remains a critical area of focus for many countries.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
