Dutch Foreign Minister Veldkamp meets Syrian counterpart al-Shaibani, calls for full civil rights for Christians and Kurds

THE HAGUE — Syrian Transitional Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp following his participation in closed meetings at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague.   

Al-Shaibani and Veldkamp met in a bi-lateral meeting after the OPCW meeting. In press statements, Veldkamp stated that he discussed with al-Shaibani the many challenges on the path to Syria’s prosperity and stability, and that hopes to visit Syria soon.  

Veldkamp emphasized the necessity of involving all communities and groups of Syrian society in the political transition process and the importance of respecting the rights of Christians, Kurds, and other Syrian communities. He noted that the Netherlands will remain a partner for the Syrian people by supporting the easing of EU sanctions, through accountability efforts and by providing humanitarian assistance. 

Earlier in February, Veldkamp participated in a conference on the future of Syria and the role and place of Syriacs in this new Syria. The conference hosted Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) political, social, and Church representatives, as well as New Social Contract (NSC) party leader Pieter Omtzigt and Syriac MP Isa Kahraman(NSC). 

Veldkamp, also of NSC, has indicated several times that his government is committed to supporting Christians and other vulnerable groups in Syria. “Your commitment also strengthens my commitment,” he said at the February conference. 

In their talks at the conference, Omtzigt and Kahraman alluded to the words of their minister and that they too will critically follow the political process there and the new Syrian transitional leaders in their dealings with the rights of Christians and other smaller peoples within the borders of Syria.