At a meeting on Friday, the inner cabinet of the outgoing federal government decided that Belgium will send an emissary to the Syrian capital, Damascus. The decision to send a Belgian diplomat to Syria comes less than two weeks since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Belgium's last representative in Syria was ambassador Françoise Gustin. In 2012, Belgium closed its embassy in Damascus as a result of the escalation of the civil war in Syria.
Earlier this week, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, announced the reopening of the EU’s diplomatic representation in Syria. Other countries have also said they want diplomatic contact with the new Syrian leaders.
Although the group that is now in charge in Damascus, HTS is on the UN’s list of terrorist organisations, since its success in ousting Assad, the organisation has adopted a moderate stance.
Speaking earlier on Friday the Belgian Foreign Minister Bernard Quintin said “We are sending an emissary to Damascus to talk to Syria's new leaders. The aim is for our diplomat on the ground to engage in discussions on the future of Syria. We need to clearly convey our messages and our expectations for the reconstruction of the country”. In particular, Belgium wants the transition in the country to be peaceful and inclusive. Mr Quintin previously expressed Belgium's desire to see the new regime respect human rights and international law, protect minorities and respect the rights of women.
“During the coming weeks and months, the new leaders must show us and the rest of the world their willingness to rebuild Syria on the basis of these principles. We will judge the new leaders by what they do, not just by what they say”.
“Like other countries, Belgium hopes to see a stable and secure Syria, first and foremost for the sake of the Syrians themselves and so that Syrian refugees in Europe and Belgium can eventually return home”, the Belgian Foreign Minister said.