Sultan Al-Ibrahim
On Monday, Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani attended the 9th Brussels Donors’ Conference, an annual event organized by the European Union since 2017. The conference brought together ministers from European and Arab countries and representatives of international organizations. Shibani’s participation came amid European diplomatic efforts to support Syria’s transition, despite recent security tensions along the Syrian coast, which were attributed to “remnants” of the ousted regime.
Shibani’s presence sparked widespread controversy among Syrians, as this marked Damascus’ first-ever participation in the conference since its inception eight years ago. His attendance coincided with severe economic and humanitarian challenges faced in Syria, as financial pledges from donor countries saw a notable decline compared to the previous year.
The conference concluded with a total of €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) in grants and low-interest loans, significantly lower than last year’s €7.5 billion ($8.1 billion)
Read more: Germany Announces Reopening of Its Embassy in Syria After 13 Years
Reasons for the Decline in Financial Pledges
The UN envoy to Syria, Geir Pederson, attributed the decline in financial support to several factors, including escalating security tensions along the Syrian coast, the impact of the increasing global crises and a reduction in U.S. assistance.
While the Syrian government was initially hesitant to participate in the conference, it announced on Saturday that its position had not been fully decided. Damascus emphasized that it would not take part in any forum that “promotes external agendas at the expense of Syrian sovereignty and national interests.” In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that Syria would refuse to attend the Brussels Conference “if it is politicized in a way that serves specific narratives,” stressing the need for international cooperation based on respect for Syrian sovereignty and the actual needs of its people.
Economic Challenges and the Impact of Sanctions
According to the writer and political researcher Husam Taleb, resident in Damascus, “the European Union has not provided meaningful economic relief to Syria”, adding that the lifting of sanctions remains a promise yet to be fulfilled. while Syrian funds frozen under the former regime have not yet been redirected to the Central Bank.
In statements to +963, Taleb emphasized that the new Syrian government had hoped for concrete actions reflecting European commitments, but instead continued to face economic pressure.
He dismissed the idea that the recent security escalation on the Syrian coast was a major factor in the decline of European support for the new Syrian administration. Taleb argued that the incidents in the region had been widely condemned, prompting the Syrian government to form a commission to investigate those violations, with the military police continuing to pursue those responsible. Meanwhile, the European Union maintained its strategy of pressuring Damascus into making concessions but did not demonstrate a significant shift in its stance, either negatively or positively.
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The Importance of Syria’s Participation
Syria’s participation in the Brussels Conference was seen by Taleb as a significant step, allowing the new administration to present its economic and security vision, clarify how financial aid would be utilized, and ensure the protection of minorities. Despite initial hesitation, the conference represented a crucial opportunity, both for the government and the broader population to further Damascus’ reintegration into the international community, particularly with the Western nations.
Rami Ali, an academic and political philosophy researcher at the University of Paris, noted that the security escalation along the Syrian coast had affected the image of the new administration and raised concerns among some European countries about the potential instability. However, the European Union maintained a balanced stance, attributing responsibility for the incidents to loyalists of the former regime.
Speaking to +963, Ali emphasized that despite external pressures, the EU remained committed to diplomatic engagement with Damascus. He pointed out that European countries remained divided over lifting the sanctions, with some advocating for more flexibility than the stricter U.S. position.
Ali further stated that the Brussels Conference provided an opportunity to strengthen international recognition of Syria’s new administration. It also created the possibility of attracting European investment, should US sanctions be lifted.
At the same time, Western nations continued to call for tangible steps toward political reform and transition, including the formation of an inclusive government representing all segments of the Syrian people.
Future European Support for Syria
Recent developments on the Syrian coast influenced the atmosphere of the conference, with some European countries attempting to separate these incidents from their overall stance on the new Syrian administration. Many welcomed the Syrian government’s decision to establish a commission of inquiry into the reported abuses, interpreting it as a genuine effort to prevent such events in the future.
EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged the urgent challenges facing Syria, noting that the recent violence in coastal areas underscored the severity of the situation. However, she expressed cautious optimism, citing the March 10 agreement to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the state’s institutions as a step toward stability.
Kallas also called for serious discussions on easing European sanctions against Syria, stressing the importance of additional support in cooperation with regional partners. While last year’s conference saw pledges of €7.5 billion, the EU has allocated €2.12 billion for 2024 and 2025. Meanwhile, an estimated 16.5 million people in Syria still require humanitarian assistance, including 12.9 million in need of food aid.
Syria’s Demands for Lifting Sanctions
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani reiterated his country’s urgent need for the removal of economic and financial sanctions. He argued that the current government was not responsible for the circumstances that led to these measures but was instead a victim of them. He emphasized that Syria requires a comprehensive reconstruction plan, not just humanitarian aid, citing UN estimates that place the cost of rebuilding at over $250 billion.
Al-Shibani further stated that sanctions hinder economic recovery by restricting access to medical equipment, infrastructure supplies, and spare parts for hospitals. In response to these concerns, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the need to closely monitor the new Syrian government’s actions before making any decisions regarding increased support or the lifting of sanctions.
