Media: EU chief-diplomat invites Syrian FM to Brussels

The leader of the EU's diplomatic branch, Kaja Kallas, has reportedly extended an invitation to Syrian Foreign Minister Asad al-Shaybani to visit Brussels.

This development has been reported by Russian media outlets, which cite the EU's Spokesman for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Anouar El Anouni.

According to these reports, he confirmed that the head of EU diplomacy invited Asad al-Shaybani to visit Brussels while in Riyadh, where she held meetings on the Syrian political situation in January. 

This move comes amid the European Union having begun the process of easing its strict and extensive sanctions on Syria after foreign ministers approved a roadmap in January for a temporary suspension, dependent on developments on the ground.

The initial sanctions relief is expected to focus on the banking, energy, and transport sectors, several European diplomats told Euronews. However, they emphasized that these choices are provisional and may change as discussions continue in Brussels.

These selected sectors are seen as crucial for speeding up Syria’s post-war reconstruction, enhancing stability, and restoring financial ties with the EU, which remains the country’s largest international donor.

As Caliber.Az recalls, French President Emmanuel Macron has also invited Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa to visit France.

According to a statement from the Syrian presidency, Macron congratulated Sharaa on “the liberation” of Syria from the Bashar al-Assad regime" during a phone call and invited him to visit France in the coming weeks.”

By Nazrin Sadigova