fr flag go to the original language article
This article has been translated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The news agency is not responsible for the content of the translated article. The original was published by AFP.

Syria: the EU must “intensify” its relationship with HTS, says von der Leyen

by AI | 17.Dec 2024 | Europe in brief AI

The European Union must “intensify” its relationship with the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in power in Syria since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, said the president of the Commission on Tuesday.

A Syrian living in Turkey pushes a cart loaded with his belongings to enter Syria at the Cilvegozu border crossing in Reyhanli on December 12, 2024, after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. (Photo: Yasin AKGUL / AFP)

“`html

Ankara – “We must now intensify our direct engagement with (the Islamist group) HTS and other factions” in Syria, said Ursula von der Leyen following a discussion in Ankara with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The head of the European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, had stated shortly before from Strasbourg that the EU was “ready” to reopen its embassy in Damascus, a little over a week after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Ursula von der Leyen also judged that the EU and its allies “cannot allow” the “resurgence” in Syria of the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), which has never been completely eradicated.

“The risk of a resurgence is real,” she estimated, stressing that “the unity of the (Syrian) nation must be respected and minorities protected.”

The European Union will unlock an additional billion euros to finance aid to refugees in Turkey, the President of the Commission also announced. (December 17, 2024)

“`