Turkish MFA attends 9th Brussels conference to support Syria with key stakeholders

The 9th Brussels Conference on Syria, organized annually by the European Union, took place on March 17, 2025, under the working “Meeting the Needs to Ensure the Success of the Transition Process in Syria” and with the participation of Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The conference brought together representatives from Syria, neighboring countries, European stakeholders, and relevant international organizations. A Turkish delegation, headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz, participated in the event.

In his speech at the conference, Deputy Minister Yilmaz emphasized several critical points:

1. Support for a comprehensive transition process: He stressed the importance of international community support for steps taken by the Syrian government toward establishing a comprehensive transition process.
2. Economic security and stability: Yilmaz highlighted the significance of Syria’s economic security for the overall stability and security of the country.
3. Encouraging returns and reconstruction: He noted the necessity of creating economic opportunities and employment within Syria to facilitate the return of displaced people. Additionally, comprehensive reconstruction efforts were essential to foster this return.
4. Sanctions relief: While recent exemptions had been welcomed, Yilmaz pointed out that these actions were insufficient. He called for the unconditional and permanent lifting of sanctions and immediate improvements in the daily lives of Syrians.
5. Sustainable stability and security: Yilmaz emphasized that the ultimate sustainable stability and security in Syria depended on the complete eradication of terrorist elements in the country. He further stressed that the agreement between the Syrian regime and the so-called “SDG” should be fully implemented without delay.
6. Threats from Israeli aggression: The Deputy Minister also highlighted that Israeli aggression posed a threat to Syria’s security.

Sideline bilateral meetings by Yilmaz

On the sidelines of the conference, Deputy Minister Yilmaz held bilateral meetings with key figures, including Hamish Falconer, UK Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa; Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik, Secretary of State at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Geir Pedersen, UN Special Representative for Syria; Hana Jalloul Muro, First Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee; Amy Pope, Director-General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM); and Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

This conference underscored the importance of international collaboration in supporting Syria’s transition and addressing the complex challenges the country faces on its path to recovery.