Albares takes part in the Paris Conference on Syria to coordinate and strengthen aid to the Syrian people

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, and his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, greet each other at the start of the International Conference on Syria held in Paris (EFE)

José Manuel Albares has taken part in the Paris Conference that brought Syria's partners together again to strengthen cooperation, coordinate aid to its people and support the country's economy and stabilisation.

At the meeting, which comes two weeks after the appointment of Ahmed Al Sharaa as interim president, Albares advocated the use of mechanisms to achieve a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria that guarantees the country's sovereignty and security.

At this third international meeting on the transition process in Syria, which brings together representatives of the new Syrian government, as well as the main European, Arab and G7 partners, the Spanish minister shared space with his counterparts from Italy, Canada, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, among others, in addition to the Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dinravka Suica, and representatives of the US, Turkey and Japan, the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The importance of transitional justice and the fight against impunity was highlighted, issues the Spanish minister had already stressed as inalienable during his visit to Damascus on 16 January. It was a visit that translated into support for the transition in Syria at a time of maximum hope for the future of the Syrian people.

Spain's support and accompaniment was reiterated after noting that the first steps taken by the new administration have been positive, including the formation yesterday of a Preparatory Committee to organise the National Dialogue Conference, two of its seven members being women.

However, at the same time Albares noted that commitment to future support of this kind will be linked to an inclusive Syria, guaranteeing women's rights; to a rapid transformation towards a political movement leading to a peaceful and democratic transition; and to ensuring Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty, free from external interference.

Humanitarian aid

Precisely for the Syrian people and to mitigate the serious difficulties they are going through, Spain will maintain its commitment to provide humanitarian aid. Between 2011 and 2023, we donated almost €100 million in humanitarian aid (of which €47.5 million went to Syria and the rest to Syrian refugees in the region). In 2024 alone, AECID allocated €6.3 million to the Syrian crisis (€4.98 million to Syria and €1.4 million to the Syrian refugee population in Lebanon).

And by 2025, Spain plans to allocate an additional €6 million in humanitarian aid, €3 million for refugees and €1.6 million in cereals from Ukraine.

Spain will also support transitional justice mechanisms with €500,000. In addition, in order to be able to carry out

Non official translation