President von der Leyen engages with regional leaders on future of Syria

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been actively engaging with regional leaders in the Middle East to discuss the implications of the recent fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

This week, President von der Leyen visited Jordan and Türkiye to confer with key regional actors and outline Europe‘s vision for Syria’s future. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, she reiterated Europe’s readiness to assist Syria in achieving national unity and safeguarding minority rights.

On December 17, President von der Leyen met with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the president of Türkiye, in Ankara. In their joint statement, she highlighted the dual nature of the Assad regime’s fall, which brings hope for the Syrian people but also presents risks.

“The Syrian people deserve a peaceful transition. One that preserves their country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. One that upholds state institutions. And one that reflects the aspirations of the Syrian people in all their diversity,” von der Leyen stated.

She emphasized the need for national unity and the protection of minorities as fundamental to this transition.

Moreover, President von der Leyen underscored Türkiye’s crucial role in stabilizing the region, particularly in preventing a resurgence of Daesh. She announced Europe’s commitment to enhancing its engagement in Syria’s early recovery efforts, which includes the restoration of basic services such as electricity and water, as well as infrastructure rebuilding. Europe has increased its humanitarian aid to Syria to over €160 million for the current year and launched a humanitarian air bridge, with the first goods expected to arrive soon.

President von der Leyen also acknowledged Türkiye’s significant efforts in hosting refugees from Syria over the years. She announced an additional €1 billion to support education and healthcare for these refugees. As many Syrians look forward to returning home, the European Union, in collaboration with the UNHCR, will ensure that returns are safe, voluntarily and with dignity.

On December 16, before her visit to Türkiye, President von der Leyen met with King Abdullah II of Jordan in Amman. This meeting served as an opportunity to reaffirm the EU’s collaborative efforts with Jordan in facilitating Syria’s peaceful power transition. The Commission president pledged to ramp up the delivery of humanitarian assistance via Jordan and to support the early recovery of essential services and infrastructure in Syria.

These high-level meetings underscore Europe’s commitment to playing a pivotal role in Syria’s future, fostering stability and supporting the Syrian people during this critical transition period. As President von der Leyen continues her diplomatic efforts, the international community keenly observes the unfolding developments and the potential impact on regional stability.

Featured photo shows Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on the left, and Ursula von der Leyen. Photographer: Christophe Licoppe. © European Union, 2024. Source: EC – Audiovisual Service