Netherlands’ special envoy meets HTS leadership in Damascus to discuss Syria's political transition

Netherlands’ Special Envoy for Syria, Gijs Gerlag, visited Damascus on January 2-4 2025, to engage with the newly-formed interim government led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). 

The visit included a discussion on the political transition in Syria and the protection of minority communities, Caliber.Az reports via Dutch media.

During the meeting, Gerlag conveyed messages from the Netherlands’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caspar Veldkamp, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive political transition. “The Netherlands believes an inclusive, Syrian-led political transition is key for sustainable stability in Syria,” Veldkamp said. “It is essential that Christian, Kurdish, and other minority communities participate in this process and that human rights are respected.”

The Netherlands is keen to support the political transition process, which is seen as crucial for promoting stability and addressing security concerns in the region. “Through Gerlag’s visit, we are exploring how the Netherlands and the EU can support the process of political transition in Syria. Promoting stability in Syria also serves the Netherlands’ interests, for instance, in regard to counterterrorism and the return of refugees,” Veldkamp added. “Our special envoy also conveyed that the Netherlands remains committed to achieving justice for the human rights violations that were perpetrated.”

In addition to his meeting with HTS, Gerlag held discussions with representatives from the UN Special Envoy to Syria, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Damascus-based humanitarian NGO coordination platform (DINGO), and Christian religious leaders.

While the meeting with HTS marked the first official contact, the Netherlands does not currently have plans to open an embassy in Damascus. The Dutch government, in collaboration with like-minded countries, is continuing to assess ways to support an inclusive and peaceful political transition in Syria.

By Aghakazim Guliyev