Italy resumes diplomatic ties with Syria, appoints ambassador

International

26-07-2024, 19:53

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Followed by-INA
Italy has decided to appoint an ambassador to Syria to “shed light” on the country, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Friday, making it the first G7 country to resume diplomatic work in Damascus since the country was plunged into civil war.

Italy recalled all staff from its embassy in Damascus in 2012 and suspended diplomatic activity in Syria in protest at “unacceptable violence” by President Bashar al-Assad’s government against its own citizens.
Al-Assad has regained control of most of Syria after a 13-year war that has sent millions of Syrian refugees fleeing to Europe.

The Italian foreign ministry’s current special envoy to Syria, Stefano Ravagnan, was announced as ambassador and Tayani told Reuters that he is scheduled to assume his position soon.

Last week, Italy and seven other European Union countries sent a letter to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell calling for the bloc to play a more active role in Syria.