Türkiye ‘genuine strategic ally’ in building peaceful, inclusive Syria: Spain’s FM

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares emphasized the importance of strategic collaboration with Türkiye to achieve a stable, peaceful and inclusive Syria, ahead of his visit to Syria and Lebanon that will take place on Jan. 15-16.

Spain to strengthen cooperation with Türkiye on Syria

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Albares described Türkiye as a “first-class partner” and a “genuine strategic ally.” He stated that Spain and the European Union must align their efforts with Türkiye to support stability and inclusivity in Syria.

“We will undertake extraordinary cooperation with Türkiye on Syria. Türkiye’s voice and role in the Middle East and Syria are not only vital but also deeply appreciated by Spain,” Albares said.

The minister emphasized his regular consultations with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, praising his invaluable insights on the region. “I benefit from his opinion because he knows the situation in the region perfectly. This is very special and important to me. Of course, Spain and the EU need to join forces with Türkiye to achieve a stable, peaceful and inclusive Syria,” he added.

Positive signals from Syria’s new administration

Albares expressed cautious optimism about recent developments in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime.

“We see that the administration in Syria is not resorting to violence, has finally ended a bloody dictatorship, and has emptied prisons. These are signals welcomed by Spain,” Albares stated.

He stressed Spain’s commitment to supporting Syria’s new administration, particularly in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity while addressing the humanitarian needs of a population that has endured years of suffering.

“Syria’s political transition must also respect the rights of women and religious and ethnic minorities. We hope for a peaceful transition. Today, the administration, which began as a military movement, needs to evolve into a political one,” Albares added.

We want to guarantee the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria, we want to support them in delivering humanitarian aid to meet the needs of a people who have suffered so much over the last 10 years.

We also want to respect the position of women, religious and ethnic minorities. I hope there will be a peaceful transition. What today is primarily a military movement must be transformed into a political movement.

In such an environment, Spain will always stand by Syria and the Syrian people and will do everything possible to ensure that the EU is there.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares

Sanctions and dialogue

On the issue of sanctions previously imposed on the Assad regime, Albares suggested that their relevance could diminish if the circumstances that justified them change.

“The sanctions against the Assad regime in Syria had a specific purpose and objectives. Obviously, if the reasons for them and the elements that we want to avoid with sanctions change, they will no longer make sense,” he said

“Spain’s position is that we need to have dialog and contact with the new Syrian authorities. That is why I am going to Damascus next week,” Albares added.

The sanctions against the Assad regime in Syria had a specific purpose and objectives. Obviously, if the reasons for them and the elements that we want to avoid with sanctions change, they will no longer make sense.

Spain’s position is that we need to have dialog and contact with the new Syrian authorities. That is why I am going to Damascus next week. We want to convey our vision of what the future of Syria should look like.

A peaceful Syria, an inclusive Syria, a Syria that respects its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and if these things are fulfilled, then clearly the sanctions will no longer make sense.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares

Spain opposes foreign interference in Syria

Albares firmly opposed foreign interventions in Syria, calling for respect for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Foreign interference is detrimental not just to Syria but also to the broader Middle East and the security of the Israeli people,” he said.

He underlined Spain’s desire for a sovereign Syria that controls its territory and insisted that all foreign forces should withdraw from the region. “Like Türkiye, Spain envisions a Middle East where peace, stability, and prosperity prevail for all its people,” Albares concluded.

What we want as soon as possible is a sovereign Syria, an authority that controls all the territory. Any foreign forces should definitely withdraw from the region.

Syria should be a sovereign state like Spain and Türkiye are. That is why we are absolutely against any kind of foreign intervention.

We want this for all the peoples in the Middle East: peace, stability and prosperity.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares