The Syrian humanitarian emergency was the focus of Minister Giulio Terzi’s discussions with his French colleague Laurent Fabius in the context of the Italo-French summit in Lyons. The subject will also be on the agenda of the meeting of the Friends of Syria scheduled for 11 and 12 December in Marrakesh. “We cannot turn a blind eye”, Terzi said in a telephone meeting with President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition Mouaz Khatib, “to the humanitarian tragedy caused by the Syrian regime’s brutal use of violence against its own people”.
Italy’s support
Confirming Italy’s support for the Syrian people, the minister assured Khatib of “Italy’s maximum commitment to providing concrete assistance to the population”, particularly to women and children, in an effort to deal with a humanitarian crisis that worsens daily with the onset of winter. Khatib thanked Italy, one of the first Western countries to recognise the Coalition as the Syrian people’s legitimate representative, for the solidarity and assistance offered to the Syrian people and opposition coalition in the areas of humanitarian aid and institution building.
Meeting in Rome
A few days ago Terzi received a group of 30 activists from various Syrian ethnic, religious and political opposition groups, who were in Rome for a course on international relations and diplomatic activities aimed at preparing future Syrian leaders.
