Albares participates in the Paris Conference on Syria to coordinate and boost aid to the Syrian people

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, today took part in the Paris Conference that once again brought together Syria's partners to strengthen cooperation, coordinate aid to its people, and support the country's economy and stabilisation.  

At this encounter, 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 to guarantee the country's sovereignty and security.

At this third international meeting on the transition process in Syria, which brought 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, Dubravka Šuica, and representatives from the United States, Türkiye and Japan, as well as the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The importance of transitional justice and the fight against impunity was emphasised, issues that the Spanish minister had already highlighted as inalienable during his visit to Damascus on 16 January. 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 assistance is underscored after ascertaining that the initial steps taken by the new administration have been positive, including the formation yesterday of a Preparatory Committee to organise the National Dialogue Conference, with two of its seven members being women.

However, Albares also stated that commitment to such future support 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. 

Precisely for the Syrian people and to mitigate the serious difficulties they face, Spain will maintain its commitment to provide humanitarian aid. We have already donated, between 2011 and 2023, almost €100 million in humanitarian aid (€47.5 million for Syria and the rest for Syrian refugees in the region). In 2024 alone, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation 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, in​ 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. Furthermore, for a political transition to take place, it is important to stabilizs Syria, starting with security, which is a priority. In this regard, our country will continue to work with regional partners and the international community to preserve what has been achieved in the fight against terrorism, to ensure the destruction of chemical weapons, and to prevent organised crime and illicit trafficking.