Denmark reopens Damascus embassy after 14-year freeze
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Denmark resumes diplomatic operations in Damascus after 14 years.
- Denmark joins European efforts to restore ties with Syria.
- Syria seeks stronger Western ties, investment, and refugee returns.
- The move follows Germany, Italy, and France in re-engaging Syria.
Denmark officially resumed diplomatic operations at its embassy in Damascus on Monday, marking the end of a nearly 14-year closure and signaling a broader thaw in relations between Syria and European nations.
The official reopening ceremony was held in the Syrian capital, attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, according to state news agency SANA.
Foreign Minister al-Shaibani hailed the diplomatic step as the beginning of a "new chapter" in bilateral relations between Damascus and Copenhagen.
"The return of the Danish Embassy represents a new chapter in relations between Damascus and Copenhagen," al-Shaibani stated, adding that the move could encourage other European nations to follow suit and foster increased foreign investment in Syria.
سعدتُ بمشاركة صديقي وزير خارجية الدنمارك السيد لارس لوك راسموسن في افتتاح سفارة مملكة الدنمارك في سوريا، وهي خطوة مهمة في مسار إعادة تموضع سوريا على الساحة الدولية، وتعزيز حضورها الدبلوماسي وانفتاحها على شركائها الأوروبيين.
— أسعد حسن الشيباني (@AsaadHShaibani) August 31, 2026
إن عودة البعثات الدبلوماسية إلى دمشق تحمل رسالة واضحة… pic.twitter.com/rIwDyf97rt
Denmark, alongside numerous Western and European governments, closed its embassy in Damascus and suspended ties following the outbreak of the 2011 anti-government protests, which escalated into a conflict lasting over 13 years.
Since the collapse of the Assad regime in late 2024, the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa has actively worked to rebuild diplomatic relations with Western nations.
A core objective of the administration is creating conditions to facilitate the voluntary return of millions of displaced Syrians living abroad, including hundreds of thousands residing in European countries.
Turkey and Qatar were among the first regional powers to reopen their diplomatic missions in Damascus following the political transition.
Denmark’s move aligns with a gradual European re-engagement strategy.
Germany formally reopened its embassy in Damascus in March 2025 during a visit by its foreign minister, while Italy also resumed embassy operations.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced an agreement to initiate steps for a full exchange of ambassadors during his visit to the Syrian capital in July.
