In a controversial move, the European Union temporarily removed Syria’s new Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, from its terror watchlist to allow him to attend the ninth EU-Syria conference.
The event, held on Monday, saw Germany commit €300 million in aid, while the EU pledged a staggering €2.5 billion for humanitarian efforts in Syria over the next two years.
Despite the financial commitments, the conference took place under a dark cloud, as just days earlier, reports emerged of 750 Alawi civilians allegedly killed by Syrian government forces. Nonetheless, this marked the first time a representative from Bashar al-Assad’s regime had set foot at the high-level gathering. Previous Syrian officials had been barred due to sanctions.
Ahead of the meeting, several EU foreign ministers didn’t mince words. They emphasized that the Syrian leadership had utterly failed in its duty to ensure the safety of its citizens. Regarding al-Shaibani’s participation, one minister stated that they would scrutinize his remarks closely, gauging whether he had anything meaningful to offer.
Addressing the conference, al-Shaibani acknowledged past EU sanctions relief and pushed for additional measures, according to Germany’s Tagesschau. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock painted a mixed picture of Syria’s current state. “After three months, we see both light and shadow,” she remarked upon arriving in Brussels, stressing that Europe remains committed to supporting the Syrian people and their aspirations for peace.
Germany’s €300 million aid package will be split between the Federal Foreign Office (€168 million) and the Ministry of Development (€133 million). However, not a cent will go to Assad’s government. Instead, funds will be funneled through UN agencies and NGOs operating within Syria.
As Europe walks the tightrope of diplomacy, the decision to grant al-Shaibani entry underscores a thorny reality—engagement with Syria’s regime remains a necessary evil in addressing the country’s ongoing crisis.
