EU Diplomat Marks First Syria Visit Since Assad’s Fall

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asad Hassan Sheibani in Damascus, marking her first official visit since the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime. Speaking at the Tishrin Palace, Sheibani praised the EU for lifting sanctions on key ministries and supporting the nation’s voluntary return process, noting, “You have fulfilled your promises regarding liberation in 2024.” Looking toward the country’s political transformation, he emphasized the need for a strategic commitment “so that Syria can be a part of the international financial system in the 2028-2030 period.” Furthermore, Sheibani confirmed that the new government will persistently demand the extradition of perpetrators tied to the former regime.