Denmark reopens embassy in Syria after 14-year diplomatic break
Move signals renewed European engagement with Damascus as Syria’s new authorities seek to rebuild international diplomatic and economic ties
DAMASCUS, Syria (MNTV) — Denmark has reopened its embassy in Damascus after a 14-year suspension of diplomatic operations, marking another step toward renewed European engagement with Syria following the fall of Bashar Assad’s government.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani attended the reopening ceremony on Monday, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.
The Danish diplomatic mission had remained closed since the early years of Syria’s civil war, which began after the government of then-President Bashar Assad violently suppressed pro-democracy protests in 2011.
Al-Shaibani welcomed the reopening, describing it as a new phase in relations between Syria and Denmark. He said the move could also encourage other European countries to strengthen their engagement with Syria and increase investment in the country.
The reopening comes as Syria’s new authorities work to restore diplomatic relations with countries that severed ties with Damascus during the conflict. Assad was overthrown in December 2024 after nearly 14 years of war, paving the way for a major restructuring of Syria’s foreign relations.
European governments had largely isolated Assad’s administration during the conflict, while hundreds of thousands of Syrians fled to European countries as refugees.
Several European states have since begun restoring diplomatic links with Damascus. France and Syria agreed last month to appoint new ambassadors following talks between Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Britain restored full diplomatic relations with Syria in July 2025 after more than a decade of diplomatic estrangement. Germany reopened its embassy in Damascus in March 2025 during a visit by its foreign minister, while Spain had restored its diplomatic presence two months earlier.
Turkiye and Qatar, which have maintained close ties with Syria’s new authorities, were among the first countries to reopen their diplomatic missions in Damascus following Assad’s removal.
Denmark’s decision adds to the growing number of European governments re-establishing an official presence in the Syrian capital, reflecting a broader shift in international engagement with the country’s post-Assad authorities.
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