Official announcement from the Italian government or the Italian Embassy in Damascus

Italy to Appoint Ambassador to Syria Amid European Thaw, First G7 Nation to Do So

Jul 26, 2024, 03:00 PM

Italy has decided to appoint an ambassador to Syria, making it the first G7 nation to relaunch its diplomatic mission in Damascus since the civil war began. The Italian Embassy in Damascus was evacuated in 2012 due to the conflict. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that the move aims to 'turn a spotlight' on the war-ravaged country. Stefano Ravagnan, currently the foreign ministry's special envoy for Syria, has been named as the new ambassador and is due to take up his post shortly. This decision is seen as part of a broader European thaw in relations with Syria.