International conference: Syria wants to help Syria with change and structure

At an international Syria conference in Paris, the community of states has granted support to the country after years of civil war with peaceful and stable change. It is about ensuring the sovereignty and security of Syria and reaching a representative government, said France President Emmanuel Macron at the end of the conference. The ability to respect all groups in the country will be the prerequisite for stability and security in Syria.

In December, the Syrian long-term power of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown after almost 14 years of civil war by a rebel alliance led by the Islamist group Haiat Tahrir al-Scham (HTS). A transitional government is now ruling in Damascus.

Syria divided after the fall of Assad

Macron emphasized that humanitarian aid and the economic reconstruction after all war destruction were a challenge. “We campaigned for a quick cancellation of the first EU sanctions so that they can initiate the reconstruction,” he said to the Syrian conference participants. The Arab country is divided after the fall of al-Assad, its economy is weakened and large parts of the infrastructure destroyed.

In addition to host France, Turkey, the USA, Arab states, the United Nations and the European Union were now advised at the conference. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) took part from Germany. An overview of central conversation topics and demands:

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has warned an end to the fights all over Syria. A ceasefire is also needed in the north and northeast. In northeastern Syria, Türkiye-close forces and Kurdish militias are fighting for strategically important areas. According to Barrot, the struggles reserve the risk that the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS) will appear again. IS is considered to be militarily defeated, but is still active in Syria and has an estimated over 2,000 to 3,000 fighters.

Barrot also called for an “end of foreign interference”, also with a view of the south of the country, where Israel’s military is active on the Syrian side of the security zone between the two countries and the Lebanon.

Syria’s temporary president Ahmed al-Sharaa had repeatedly called for the lifting of the sanctions, which were directed against the Assad government and economic sectors from which they benefited. France now emphasized that financial currents want to make financial currents easier that were necessary for the reconstruction. Together with your European partners, you work to loosen old sanctions.

The cost of reconstruction in Syria is estimated at at least 250 to $ 400 billion. The country has been largely destroyed, the economy has shrunk by 85 percent since the beginning of the civil war. 70 percent of the population live in poverty and around 80 percent are urgently dependent on humanitarian aid.

Diversity also in the government

Paris wants a clear schedule for the political transition in Syria. In addition, the change in plurality in the country must do justice. The government should also reflect diversity. The country should be free, stable, confident and united. After years of the civil war and the fall of Assad, Syria is actually split.

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also said: “It is clear to all of us that the reorganization in Syria will be a mammoth task, where there will always be setbacks.”

Refurbishing of the crimes

Berlin and Paris both emphasized that the judiciary also plays an important role in the transition. An effective mechanism to deal with Assad’s crimes becomes more pressing every day, “so that the deep wounds of Syrian society can heal at all,” said Baerbock. The processing is a key to reunification of the country and its strength. Syria wants to support Syria for the collection, evidence and identification of the victims and beyond, said Macron.