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On the occasion of the fifth Brussels Conference on Syria ('Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region'), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sophie Wilmès and Minister of Development Cooperation Meryame Kitir announced today 18 million euro in additional humanitarian aid for the Syrian people. They stressed that a permanent solution to the conflict is only possible if all parties involved take responsibility and return to credible diplomatic negotiations.

Belgium is supporting the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Syria with a contribution of 2 million euros, in response to the organization's 2020 call for contributions for the country. The ICRC's action is essential and its neutral and independent humanitarian approach, in accordance with the mandate given by the States, makes it a key player in the protection and assistance to the populations affected by the conflict in Syria.

Just as in 2019, Belgium supports the activities of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq and Syria with a contribution of 2 million euros. Civilian casualties still occur daily in both countries. Children in particular run the risk of being injured or killed by mines or other explosive weapons. Explosive remnants of war contribute to the insecurity and difficult living conditions that drives Iraqis and Syrians to flee. The mine clearance efforts are part of Belgium's commitment to the stabilization of areas reclaimed from IS (Islamic State).

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, Philippe Goffin, welcomes the compromise reached by the members of the United Nations Security Council, which extends the "cross-border" mechanism aimed at providing humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people for 12 months via the Bab al-Hawa border point. However, the possibilities for delivering humanitarian aid through Bab al-Salam need to be improved.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Philippe Goffin is pleased that the international conference 'Supporting the future of Syria and the region', which took place through video conference today, on 30 June 2020, managed to draw attention to the difficult humanitarian situation of the Syrian population and to advocate renewed efforts for a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

On 29 and 30 June, the European Union organises the fourth Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region. Belgium will also take part in this meeting, which brings together all the relevant actors to discuss the effective approach to the situation. The aim is to support the United Nations in its efforts towards a comprehensive political solution and to mobilise resources for Syrian citizens and neighbouring countries hosting refugees from Syria. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for important dialogue with civil society actors.

The first report of the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), released on 8 April, confirms the tragic findings of previous independent inquiries. The Syrian regime does not hesitate to use chemical weapons against its own civilian population, including those being treated in hospitals. No amount of disinformation can obscure this fact.

Op-ed by Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Ireland on Idlib.

For many years, Belgium has been committed to the safety of Syrian citizens and the end of the Syrian conflict. As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, our country’s voice can carry additional weight with the international community.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense Philippe Goffin welcomes the renewal of the “cross-border” mechanism aimed at providing humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.