Syria’s Top Diplomat Visits Netherlands for Talks on Chemical Weapons
Syria’s interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani concluded a 24-hour diplomatic visit to the Netherlands on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in Syrian engagement with international institutions. His trip included a historic address at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, making him the first Syrian foreign minister to speak before the OPCW’s Executive Council.
Al-Shaibani announced the visit on the social media platform X, stating that Syria remains committed to resolving outstanding issues related to its chemical weapons program. “This participation reaffirms Syria’s commitment to international security,” he wrote.
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During his time in the Netherlands, al-Shaibani met with Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp to discuss efforts to rebuild Syrian-Dutch relations. He also held talks with OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias and foreign ambassadors on issues of transitional justice and support for Syria’s ongoing stabilization efforts. Additionally, he engaged with Arab ambassadors to strengthen diplomatic ties.
The visit follows Arias’ February trip to Damascus, where he met with Syria’s interim leadership. Syria has been under scrutiny by the OPCW for its alleged use of chemical weapons during the country’s long-running civil conflict, a charge Damascus has repeatedly denied. Since its accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013, Syria has faced calls from the international community to fully dismantle its chemical stockpiles and improve transparency regarding its weapons program.
