Administration of North and East Syria delegation engages in constructive dialogue with Abbot of Montserrat Abbey during Catalonia tour

MONTSERRAT, Spain — As part of their European tour, a delegation from the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) met with Father Manel Gasch, Abbot of the Benedictine Abbey of the Santa Maria de Montserrat in Catalonia. Nestled in the picturesque mountains of Montserrat, the meeting served as a platform to discuss the latest developments in North and East Syria and foster understanding.

The AANES delegation included Co-Chair of the External Relations Commission Badran Jia Kurd, AANES Representative in Europe Abdul Karim Omar, and Co-Chair of the Syriac Union Party (SUP) Nazira Goreya.

Father Gasch initiated the discussions by recounting Father Palacios’s journey to Syria, emphasizing the mission to document the history and civilization of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people. He expressed concern for the challenges faced by Christians in the Middle East, detailing the damages inflicted upon churches and the displacements endured by Christian communities.

Father Gasch recognized the AANES democratic project as a positive step towards strengthening relations and fostering cooperation between the diverse population of the region.

Badran Jia Kurd acknowledged the historical injustices faced by Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities under authoritarian regimes and stated it was AANES goal to maintain social peace and promote coexistence among people of diverse religions and nationalities.

Goreya spoke about the enduring struggles of Christians in the Middle East, emphasizing the resilience of the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people in preserving their religious beliefs and safeguarding their national rights. The dialogue underscored the importance of open communication and mutual understanding in addressing shared concerns and fostering unity in the pursuit of peace and justice.