Brussels: Syria's foreign minister has raised alarms over the presence of "certain armed militias operating outside the state's sovereignty in Lebanon." He emphasized the importance of Lebanon as both a partner and neighbor to Syria. "We hope to achieve stability there along with economic cooperation between the two countries," remarked Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in a broadcast by Syrian Al-Ikhbariya TV.

According to Anadolu Agency, Shaibani made these comments during a joint news conference with EU Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica. The conference was held on the sidelines of the EU-Syria Partnership Forum in Brussels, Belgium. Shaibani highlighted Syria's aim to establish long-term institutional cooperation, moving beyond a relationship focused only on humanitarian assistance to one driven by shared interests. He reiterated Damascus's commitment to engaging with European countries "with the utmost seriousness."

In a significant development, the EU restored the full application of its cooperation agreement with Syria. This move marks a step forward in rebuilding ties following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The EU Council's decision terminated the partial suspension of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and Syria, reversing a 2011 decision that halted parts of the deal due to human rights violations by the Assad regime.

Shaibani also addressed Israel's actions, accusing it of working over the past year and a half to "threaten and destabilize" Syria. He reaffirmed Syria's commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement and the role of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). "Syria engaged in US-sponsored negotiations with Israel because it wants to focus on reconstruction, stability, and creating safe conditions for Syrians to return home," he stated.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa has previously indicated that negotiations with Israel have not reached a dead end but are challenging due to Israel's insistence on maintaining a presence in Syrian territory. After Assad's government fell on December 8, 2024, Israel declared the 1974 disengagement agreement had collapsed and occupied the Syrian buffer zone.

Despite repeated statements by Syria's new administration that it does not seek confrontation, Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes in Syria since Assad's ouster. These attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and the destruction of military sites, vehicles, and ammunition. In December 2024, Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia, ending the Baath Party's decades-long rule, which began in 1963. A transitional administration led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was subsequently formed in January 2025.