The European Union has put forward several demands that must be met before it can officially recognize the new government or establish diplomatic relations with Damascus.
The European Union intends to raise the issue of closing Russian military bases in Syria during meetings with the country’s new government. The head of European diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, said this on Monday, December 16, after a meeting with foreign ministers of EU countries, reports Politico.
According to him, many European officials believe that the condition for dialogue with Damascus should be, in particular, “a renunciation of Russian influence.”
“These bases are also where they carry out their activities in Africa and neighbors to the south. This, of course, causes concern for the security of Europe,” said the head of European diplomacy.
Callas said Brussels has sent a senior EU diplomat to Syria to liaise with the Syrian interim government.
The issue of Russian bases in Syria at the meeting of EU foreign ministers was, in particular, raised by the Dutch Minister Caspar Veldkamp.
“Regarding the Russian military bases in Syria, we want Russia to leave,” he said.
In the past, the European Union has cut off all diplomatic relations with the Assad regime.
Note that the Khmeimim airbase is located in Latakia in Syria. In 2017, Russia received the right to station aerospace forces there free of charge for 49 years.
Also in the Syrian port of Tartus on the Mediterranean, the center of the province of the same name, there is a Russian naval base. Russia maintains warships there.
As you know, in early December, rebel forces in Syria successfully attacked the country’s largest city, Aleppo, after which they quickly took control of other regions.
On December 8, rebels in Damascus declared the capital “free” from Assad, who fled to Russia.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.