The Czech Republic has resumed its embassy operations in Syria after suspending them last month due to the intensification of battles before the fall of the Syrian regime.

The Czech Republic is the only European country that kept its embassy open in Syria over the past thirteen years, while the rest of Europe and other countries closed their embassies in Damascus in 2012 due to the previous Syrian regime’s crackdown on protests in the country.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský stated on Czech television, “The technical staff responsible for security have returned to the embassy’s headquarters in Damascus, along with the head of the department that cares for protecting American citizens in Syria,” as reported by Radio Prague International today, Friday, January 3.

Lipavský noted that he recently had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who confirmed that the Czech Republic would continue to serve as a protecting power for the United States in Syria.

The Czech minister emphasized that his country is acting “with great caution” regarding the situation in Syria and is closely monitoring developments.

Lipavský mentioned, “The officials forming the new Syrian government are listed on various sanction lists due to their history, but they express a desire to reestablish relations with the world, and I believe we must respond to that invitation to remove the Russians from Syria.”

According to him, any decision to lift sanctions on Syria would be political and must be preceded by political negotiations with the new Syrian administration.

In mid-December 2024, the Czech Foreign Minister stated that dialogue with the new Syrian government is also important to encourage Syrian refugees to return to their homeland.

The Czech Republic has represented the United States and other Western countries in Syria after those nations closed their embassies due to Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown on the Syrian revolution.

In August 2012, the Czech Republic accepted a request from the United States to be the protecting power for US interests in Syria from its embassy in Damascus.

The concept of a protecting power in international diplomacy dates back centuries; the United States has used other countries’ embassies to provide informal services to American citizens in a third country.

At the beginning of December 2024, the Czech Republic withdrew its diplomatic staff from its embassy in Damascus as Bashar al-Assad’s previous regime was collapsing.

A few days after the fall of the Syrian regime on December 8, 2024, diplomatic movement towards Syria began, with the new Syrian administration announcing that eight countries had resumed their diplomatic missions.

The Political Affairs Administration in Syria expressed gratitude through its official channels to Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, and Italy for resuming their diplomatic missions in Damascus.

European political movement towards Syria continues, with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arriving today in Damascus to meet with the head of the new Syrian administration, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and representatives from civil society organizations.

The French Foreign Minister stated on his “X” account that he wishes to “enhance the peaceful transitional process for the benefit of the Syrians and regional stability.”

For her part, the German Foreign Minister said she is traveling with Minister Barrot today on behalf of the European Union to present the possibility of a new beginning between Europe and Germany with Syria.

Baerbock added that she wants to support the Syrians in a comprehensive and peaceful power transition that serves societal interest and reconstruction.

She called for the departure of Russian military bases from Syria, stating, “The Syrian people will not forget the widespread bombardment and human rights violations.”

The new Syrian administration has previously met with several European and Western delegations.

At the end of December 2024, the Chargé d’Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Syria, Michael Ohnmacht, held a series of meetings in Damascus with the Damascus caretaker government and political representatives from bodies of the Syrian opposition.

In his meeting with the Foreign Minister of the Damascus caretaker government, Asaad al-Shibani, Ohnmacht emphasized the necessity of reinforcing security and peace and maintaining the unity and independence of Syrian territory.

Ohnmacht confirmed the EU’s support for a peaceful transition of power in Syria.