Dutch envoy visits Damascus amid ongoing Syrian transition
Gijs Gerlag, the Dutch special envoy for Syria, visited Damascus this week, marking the first official visit by a Dutch government representative since the fall of the Assad regime in early December. During his visit, which took place Thursday and Saturday, Gerlag engaged in talks with representatives of HTS, the group now in control of much of Syria.
The aim of these discussions, according to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was to assess the current security situation and to emphasize the need for an inclusive political transition that respects the rights of Syrian minorities.
"The Netherlands believes an inclusive, Syrian-led political transition is crucial for lasting stability in Syria," said Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caspar Veldkamp. "This process must include Christians, Kurds, and other minority groups, and human rights must be respected."
Despite the visit, the opening of a Dutch embassy in Damascus is not yet under consideration. The Dutch government intends to wait and observe how HTS and other groups shape Syria's governance moving forward.
Gerlag's visit comes on the heels of a visit by other European foreign ministers. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot also met with HTS leaders.
