Spain raised its flag on the reopened Damascus embassy Thursday, marking its diplomatic return over a decade after suspending operations.
Spain closed the mission in March 2012, a yr after dictator Bashar Assad started brutal repression of anti-government protests, triggering greater than 13 years of warfare.
“It is an honor for me to be here in person,” Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares mentioned on the embassy, the place the Spanish nationwide anthem was performed, in line with the media.
“Raising the Spanish flag again is a sign of the hope we have for Syria’s future, of the commitment we convey to the Syrian people for a better future.”
A press release from the international ministry forward of the go to mentioned Albares would meet representatives of Syria’s new administration and the civil society.
The journey comes greater than a month after the anti-regime alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ousted Assad. Top European officers, together with international ministers from France and Germany, have made a collection of visits to satisfy with the nation’s new rulers.
A transitional administration has been appointed till March and HTS has sought to reassure minorities that they won’t be harmed and the rule of legislation can be revered.
Albares advised public broadcaster TVE forward of the go to that “the message that I want to send is a message of support to Syria.”
“But we also have red lines. Syria must be peaceful. Syria must be inclusive, and the rights of all must be respected, including those of women, and ethnic and religious minorities,” he added.
“This will be my first official trip this year,” Albares advised TVE, including he “wanted to start with one of the regions where Spanish foreign policy is most influential and where we work hardest to achieve peace.”
Albares’s journey to Syria adopted a go to to neighboring Lebanon on Wednesday, the place he introduced a ten million euro ($10.3 million) assist package deal for the nation’s military, almost two months right into a cease-fire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
Source: www.dailysabah.com