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Britain Announces Resumption of Diplomatic Relations with Syria
The United Kingdom officially restored its diplomatic relations with Syria during the visit of British Foreign Secretary, David Lamy, to Damascus, where he met with the Syrian president in the transitional phase, Ahmed al-Shar’a, and with Foreign Minister Assem Shibani, on Saturday, July 5.
According to Syrian News Channel “Al-Ikhbariya,” Minister Shibani received an invitation to visit London, aiming to work on reopening the Syrian embassy in the United Kingdom, a step reflecting improved relations between the two countries.
During the meeting, it was agreed to establish a Syrian-UK Economic Council to strengthen cooperation between the two sides. The British minister also conveyed his government’s pledge to support the agriculture and education sectors in Syria, emphasizing that there is renewed hope for the Syrian people. He confirmed that restoring diplomatic relations is in London's interest to support the Syrian government in building a more stable, secure, and prosperous future.
As part of economic support, the British Foreign Office announced that the UK will allocate £94.5 million (approximately $129 million) for humanitarian aid, recovery efforts, and the improvement of the education and infrastructure sectors. An additional two million pounds (about $2.7 million) will be dedicated to supporting efforts to eliminate chemical weapons in Syria.
In the context of discussions, David Lamy highlighted the importance of a comprehensive and representative political transition to achieve stability in Syria.
In a significant development, the British government in April announced the lifting of asset freezes on 12 Syrian entities, including the Ministries of Defense and Interior, as well as several security and media agencies, so they are no longer subject to financial sanctions.
In March, Britain removed 24 Syrian entities from its sanctions list, including the Central Bank of Syria, several oil companies, and banks.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry welcomed London’s decision, considering it a positive step that helps alleviate suffering, facilitate economic and political recovery, and ease the process of reconstruction.
