The European Union (EU) intends to establish contact with the new authorities in Syria soon, but on an “operational, not political” level, according to a senior European official.
“We are considering establishing contacts… These contacts will be on an operational level, and we hope this will happen soon,” the official said, speaking anonymously.
The contacts will not occur “on a political level, nor at the level of high officials,” the source explained, adding that the EU has had a chargé d’affaires for Syria, based in Beirut.
The EU aims to “send messages” to the new Syrian authorities, particularly concerning the protection of minorities, human rights, and the territorial integrity of the country, the European official reiterated today.
Recently, a rebel coalition led by the radical Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham captured Damascus on December 8 after an 11-day offensive, ending more than 50 years of Assad family rule.
