Excerpts from Dr Bashar Al Jaafari's (Syrian deputy Foreign Minister) keynote speech at the EUROCSE conference 15th March 2021 - "A decade of war on Syria, future trajectories"

"Geographically, we, the Syrians, are among the closest countries and nations to the European continent. A factor that has increased our interaction over ages…

Stories of seven emperors of the Roman Empire from Syria itself, such as Julia Domna and Philip the Arab, were not just a strange coincidence, nor is it a coincidence that the most beautiful architecture that Rome boasts today, the Pantheon, is designed and implemented by the Syrian engineer Apollodor of Damascus.

The Syrians had a great role in civilization and culture, east and west, and this civilized role was demonstrated by being a bridge between ancient Greece and the West. History tells that at least four of the Popes are of Syrian origin. Saint Paul set out from Damascus to spread Christianity in Europe…

Historically, interaction and exchange between Syria and Europe were never interrupted in one day, nor in one era, but rather a continuous process that contributed with all its pros and cons in drawing the region’s map and its role on the global stage.

Culturally speaking, the reciprocal process has existed throughout the ages, and its fingerprints are present in both regions.

Some may not know that the name of this Continent came from Syria… Europe, a name means broad face, is the daughter of Agenor, the Phoenician king of Tire city, according to Greek mythology. It is claimed that the continent of Europe was named after the Phoenician princess Europe, and her picture is printed today on the 2-Euro coin.

The equation tends towards saying that a lot brings us together, and that Syria has offered a lot to Europe... SO, what happened? Where did the mistakes happen, and why did the EU no longer have independence in dealing with the situation in Syria and prefer to rotate in the American orbit?

Historically, interaction and exchange between Syria and Europe were never interrupted in one day, nor in one era, but rather a continuous process that contributed with all its pros and cons in drawing the region’s map and its role on the global stage.

Culturally speaking, the reciprocal process has existed throughout the ages, and its fingerprints are present in both regions.

Some may not know that the name of this Continent came from Syria… Europe, a name means broad face, is the daughter of Agenor, the Phoenician king of Tire city, according to Greek mythology. It is claimed that the continent of Europe was named after the Phoenician princess Europe, and her picture is printed today on the 2-Euro coin.

The equation tends towards saying that a lot brings us together, and that Syria has offered a lot to Europe... SO, what happened? Where did the mistakes happen, and why did the EU no longer have independence in dealing with the situation in Syria and prefer to rotate in the American orbit?

What have we, the Syrians, done for Europe to deal with us unfairly and unjustifiably?"