German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) and Belgian PM Alexander De Croo (right) speaking to reporters in Brussels on December 18, 2024. Photos: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo told Rudaw in Brussels that the new Syria should avoid conflict and its components must be allowed to live in harmony.
“The people of Syria have the right to live in harmony and peace among themselves and with their neighbors,” Scholz said on the sidelines of the EU-Balkans summit in Brussels, adding that Syria’s laws should be respected and considered above all other things.
“Democracy [should] be practiced in a country where all religious and ethnic groups can live together,” the German Chancellor noted, expressing his country’s willingness to support Syria in forming a new government with a “better future.”
The statements come amid historic changes in Syria as a coalition of militia groups, led by the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ousted Bashar al-Assad on December 8.
The collapse of the regime marked a new start in Syria’s history. The HTS-led groups established a transitional government led by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir who has promised a future Syrian state that guarantees the rights of all its citizens.
The Belgian prime minister said the territorial integrity of Syria should be respected.
“I think it’s important that the territorial integrity of Syria is respected,” he told Rudaw.
“Everything needs to be done to appease the situation so that, for example, people that want to go back, can go back. We need to avoid that Syria is the place where regional conflict involving multiple countries would take place. So, our appeal is stop the violence and respect the territorial integrity of Syria,” he added.
Millions of Syrians fled the country during a civil war that lasted for over 13 years. Many have returned after hearing Assad’s downfall while some others are reluctant to live under a government ruled by Islamists.
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