Italy resumes diplomatic ties with Syria, names envoy after 12-year break

Italy has decided to restore diplomatic relations with the Assad government by appointing a new ambassador to Damascus after a 12-year hiatus.

The Foreign Ministry's special envoy for Syria Stefano Ravagnan has been named the new ambassador, Caliber.Az reports.

This decision comes amid a broader trend of European countries revising their policies towards Syria. The restoration of diplomatic relations and the appointment of a new ambassador underscore Italy's intention to play a more active role in the region and contribute to the stabilization of Syria after years of conflict.

The process of restoring Syrian-Turkish relations is also underway, reflecting a regional shift towards rapprochement with the Assad regime.

Italy had severed diplomatic ties with Syria in 2012 in response to the Assad regime's brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters during the early stages of the Syrian civil war. The appointment of Stefano Ravagnan signals a potential normalization of relations and cooperation in various areas such as humanitarian aid, infrastructure rehabilitation, and counter-terrorism.