Italy appoints ambassador to Syria as Europe races for engagement with Damascus
The Italian government has resumed its diplomatic relations with Syria by appointing an ambassador to the Arab country as more European countries race to amend their ties with Damascus after a decade-long hiatus.
Stefano Ravagnan, who is currently the Italian foreign ministry’s special envoy for Syria, was named as the ambassador, more than 12 years after Italy withdrew its ambassador due to what Rome claimed to be Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown on protesters.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the move, which came a few days after eight EU countries called on the bloc in a letter to “review and assess” its policy in Syria, is designed “to turn a spotlight” on the Arab country.
“Our goal is a more active, outcome-driven, and operational Syria policy… This would allow us to increase our political leverage [and] the effectiveness of our humanitarian assistance,” said the foreign ministers of Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Czech, Slovakia, Slovenia and Italy in the letter sent to the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell.
The letter highlighted “the humanitarian situation” in Syria, which it said had “further deteriorated” as the country’s economy was “in shambles.”
The ministers also suggested setting up an EU envoy to Syria, who would be assigned to re-engage with Syria’s ambassador to Brussels and coordinate with both Syrian and regional actors.
Other suggestions included starting a strategic exchange with Arab partners and dealing with the negative effects of EU sanctions that have been imposed against Assad’s government.
Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, Hungary and Czechia are the only European countries that have operating embassies in Syria.
The Italian government recalled its diplomats from Syria in 2012 and suspended its diplomatic activities there as Damascus was fighting foreign-backed militants wreaking havoc across the Arab country.
Dozen people killed in armed clashes in Syria’s Tartus
Turkey will bury Syria’s Kurdish militia if they fail to disarm: Erdogan
Iran FM: ‘Too early’ to predict Syria’s future for those thinking ‘victories’ achieved
Iraq exhuming remains of 100 Kurdish women, children killed by Saddam
Panama rejects talks with US over canal control
HTS rulers name al-Qaeda operative as Syria's new spy chief
Iran voices concern about rising insecurity, violence in Syria
VIDEO | Karachi sit-in amplifies nationwide call for justice for Parachinar victims
Iran strongly condemns Israeli bombing of Yemen's civilian infrastructure
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
VIDEO | Israel and Iran’s Nuclear Facilities?
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
