Two weeks after the coup in Syria, Europeans take the first cautious step towards the new rulers in Damascus. European Union sends one of its most senior diplomats to Syria - the German diplomat Michael Onmacht.
In Damascus, Onmacht "should establish contacts with the new government and the people", as announced by the new head of EU diplomacy, Kaya Callas, ahead of the meeting of the European Union's foreign affairs ministers. Onmacht already has experience because he held several positions in the Middle East: he was the head of the German embassy in Libya, and since the summer he has been the head of the EU-Syria delegation. writes DW.
"We were fast by EU standards"
The new head of the Union's diplomacy, when asked why the EU is establishing diplomatic contacts with Syria only now, two weeks after the coup, says: "We were quite quick by EU standards," answered Callas confidently. The governments of France and Italy have previously announced that they will send several diplomats from Paris and Rome to Syria - also with the aim of establishing contacts.
Callas emphasized how important international connection is to her in dealing with the new leaders in Syria. That's why she stayed in Jordan over the weekend in order to agree on a new line with the US, and above all with Syria's Arab neighbors, at a conference. The European Union, she says, must not allow a "vacuum" in Syria.
What do the new rulers want?
Ahmed al-Shara is the new strongman in Syria – and Europeans are still trying to get an idea of his intentions. On the one hand, it is noted that in interviews he distanced himself from his fight with Al Qaeda and managed to ensure a transition without revenge actions after the coup. Europeans look favorably on his demonstrative rejection of dress codes for women in Syria.
However, there are also skeptical assessments. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bethel, for example, is warning against the removal of the Islamist militia Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the sanctions list of terrorist groups. "These are former terrorists who broke away from al-Qaeda," Bethel emphasizes. "They are not angels."
Protecting the Kurds is a delicate issue
The new political forces will not be measured by words, but by deeds - that sentence was repeated by the head of EU diplomacy Kaja Callas at the meeting of foreign ministers. She insists on protecting the minorities in Syria, especially the Christians - but also the Kurds, who are in danger because of Turkish attacks in the border area.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, intends to talk to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara this Tuesday (December 17). It is probably about the future of refugees from Syria who are in Turkey, but perhaps also about the sensitive issue of Turkish military attacks on the Kurds in Syrian territory.
