Joint Press Statement by the Co-chairs (High Representative Kallas and Commissioners Suica & Lahbib) and Foreign Minister H.E. Asaad Hasan Al-Shaibani of the Syrian transitional government: “The Brussels IX Conference on “Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition”, hosted and chaired by the European Union (EU) on 17 March 2025, gathered key regional and international partners together with the Syrian Arab Republic.

Building on the ministerial meetings in Aqaba (14 December 2024), Riyadh (12 January 2025) and Paris (13 February 2025), the Co-Chairs and Syria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs reaffirmed their wish to work together to ensure the success of the post-Assad transition. The Co-chairs recalled the EU’s commitment to the enduring principles that have guided, since the first Brussels Conference in 2017, the EU’s efforts to support the Syrian people and their host communities in neighbouring countries, including ensuring respect for fundamental freedoms as well as international humanitarian law.

The Co-chairs reaffirmed the EU’s support for the unity, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and highlighted the key role of inclusive state institutions and the fight against all forms of discrimination and extremism. Recognising the historic opportunity to rebuild Syria as a free, inclusive, united, sovereign, stable and peaceful country, grounded on the respect of human rights and international law, the Co-chairs reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to support Syria’s inclusive transition with a view to ensuring lasting peace and prosperity for all Syrians, without distinction of any kind. Both parties concurred on the necessity, including via the National Dialogue process, to ensure that the transition delivers on the aspirations of all components of Syrian society, and for all Syrians, both in the country and in the diaspora, to have the opportunity to reunify, stabilise and rebuild their country, restore justice and freedom and ensure accountabilityn a spirit of reconciliation.”