European Syriac Union engages German government on Syriac-Aramean issues

BERLIN, Germany — The European Syriac Union (ESU) held a series of high-level meetings in Berlin with representatives of the German government, aiming to address the pressing concerns of the Syriac-Aramean people in the Middle East and explore avenues for their support.   

The discussions focused on the challenges facing the Syriac-Aramean community in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, with an emphasis on safeguarding their cultural and national rights. Key issues raised included constitutional recognition and efforts to preserve their presence in their ancestral homeland, where their identity and contributions are increasingly at risk.   

“This is about enabling the Syriac-Assyrian-Chaldean-Aramean people to play an active role in the rapidly evolving circumstances of the region while ensuring their identity and existence are not erased,” said Metin Rhawi, Head of Foreign Relations for the ESU, in remarks to our news desk. He highlighted that the talks also covered strategies to strengthen Syriac-Assyrian-Chaldean-Aramean political organizations, enabling them to tackle the significant challenges they face in the Middle East.   

Participating in the discussions were ESU Co-Chair Fahmi Vergili, ESU Head of Foreign Relations Metin Rhawi, and ESU Foreign Affairs official Massoud Melke. Together, they conveyed the urgency of addressing the marginalization of the Syriac-Aramean people and stressed the importance of fostering inclusive approaches to regional stability.   

The ESU’s initiative comes amidst the Syriac-Aramean people’s ongoing pursuit of a meaningful role in shaping a future built on mutual respect and stability. In light of the region’s volatile dynamics, the union reaffirmed its commitment to securing a dignified place for this ancient community within the broader framework of Middle Eastern societies.   

The meetings with German officials mark a critical step in amplifying the voices of the Syriac-Aramean people, reaffirming their struggle for rights and recognition, and emphasizing the need for international collaboration to address their plight.