What happens next in Syria? Conference seeks pathway for transition

Paris (dpa) – After more than ten years of civil war, the overthrow of a regime, Syria is divided and scarred by war. The conditions for a peaceful transition are complicated. Now, a high-ranking international conference in Paris aims to find pathways towards stability in the Arab country. Turkey, the USA, Arab states, the United Nations and the European Union have sent delegates to the conference, which is being hosted by France. Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is among those who have travelled to Paris. “The aim is to promote a peaceful and inclusive process of transition which stabilises Syria in the long term and gives its people the chance of a safe and secure future,” the Foreign Office announced ahead of the event. In addition to resolving political conflicts and reconstructing the country, the “difficult questions of transitional justice and combating impunity” was also a significant issue, the statement said. 

Large parts of Syria have been destroyed, while the country’s economy has shrunk by 85% since civil war broke out. According to UN statistics, 70% of the population live in poverty and around 80% depend on humanitarian aid. France hopes the conference will improve how aid is coordinated.