Lahbib is the first European Commissioner to visit Damascus

Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for crisis management, arrived in Damascus on Friday, becoming the first member of the European Commission to visit Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

"Arrived in Damascus, Syria, a country bursting with hope and optimism for a better future. But also with immense needs – almost 17 million people are in need of humanitarian aid. I am here to ensure that these people receive urgent aid," Lahbib shared on X.

During her visit, Lahbib plans to meet with the new authorities, as well as NGOs and civil society representatives, to explore ways to improve European humanitarian aid efforts.

The European Union has announced a new aid package of 235 million euros for Syria and its neighbouring countries, with 142.5 million euros specifically allocated for projects within Syria.

Before departing for Syria, Lahbib told the press that her key message to the new authorities was a call for a peaceful and inclusive transition. "This involves preserving territorial integrity and respecting human rights," she stated. "As European Commissioner for equality, I will insist on the need to protect women and ethnic and religious minorities."

Hadja Lahbib on Twitter / X

I visited the @UNHCRinSYRIA Dewaila Community Centre, a safe haven for women, kids & vulnerable families. I listened to their stories — some sad, some more hopeful. The EU is with these courageous Syrians — helping them transform their trauma into a hopeful future. pic.twitter.com/jUprcOeozl— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) January 17, 2025

Twitter

"This must not become an Assad regime 2.0"

Lahbib expressed cautious optimism about the current signals from the new authorities. "We expect a lot from this new Syria. We hope for change so that Syrians are finally recognised in their great diversity. This must not become an Assad regime 2.0."

Discussions with Syrian authorities will cover the EU's sanctions, which have been in place since 2011. While the EU aims to phase these sanctions out to facilitate reconstruction, Lahbib noted that this can only happen if Syria becomes an "inclusive" state that respects all minorities.

Earlier this month, German and French foreign ministers Annalena Baerbock and Jean-Noël Barrot also visited Syria on behalf of the EU. They advocated for a peaceful and inclusive transition, though their visit was overshadowed by controversy. Transitional prime minister Ahmed al-Sharaa refused to shake Baerbock's hand, and she was later censored on a regime-linked television channel.

^{​European Commissioner for crisis management Hadja Lahbib and Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) in Damascus, on 17 January, 2025 © PHOTO SANA / AFP}

Related news

EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib calls on Israel to lift ban on UNRWA

European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib has called on Israeli authorities to lift their ban on UNRWA, the...

belganewsagency.eu

First Syrians set to return home from Belgium following regime change

Since the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, Belgium’s asylum services have reported an increased interest among Syrians in returning to their...

belganewsagency.eu