The Euro-Mediterranean summit kicked off yesterday in the Belgian capital Brussels, amid expectations of a possible direct meeting between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani and his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar, amid ongoing talks surrounding the Abraham Accords and Syria’s potential accession.
The Syrian and Israeli foreign ministers are already sitting at the same table during meetings organized by the Union for the Mediterranean, an intergovernmental organization of 43 countries aimed at enhancing cooperation and dialogue across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar welcomed the participation of his Syrian counterpart, according to the Times of Israel. However, a ministry spokesperson stated that Sa’ar is not planning any personal meetings between the two, while the Syrian Foreign Ministry has not commented.
This marks Syria’s first participation in the Union for the Mediterranean meetings. Al-Shibani said, “We have succeeded in reactivating Syria’s membership in the Union.”
On the ground, for the second day in a row, the Israeli army targeted several Syrian army tanks in the city of Suwayda. On Monday, the Syrian army launched a military campaign to enter Suwayda following deadly clashes between local factions and Bedouin tribes, which ended today with the army fully securing the area.
Despite dozens of Syrian soldiers being killed or wounded due to Israeli airstrikes, observers believe the Israeli intervention was limited and came only after the Syrian army had taken full control—interpreted by some in Tel Aviv as a symbolic move.
Recently, U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrack revealed that negotiations between Tel Aviv and Damascus are ongoing with Washington’s mediation. He added that Syria’s accession to the Abraham Accords may take time, suggesting a possible new security framework that could eventually pave the way for Syria to join, potentially including the Golan Heights.
The Syrian government continues to face significant internal challenges in aligning the country’s situation with a greater rapprochement with Israel, particularly on the security front.
