Ribal Al-Assad, Director of the ODFS, this week met with Ms Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck MEP, Liberal Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs in the EU Parliament and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Ms Neyts-Uyttebroeck is also President of the European Liberal and Reform Party Group in the European Parliament, a member of the Delegation for relations with NATO and a former Belgium Federal Minister. They had a comprehensive discussion about ending the repression in Syria and bringing peaceful democratic reform. The meeting was a part of a series of meetings that Ribal had with senior members of the European Parliament from across the political spectrum, senior policy advisers and officials from the European Commission.

Commenting on the meeting, Ribal, said:

“I was delighted and honoured to meet Ms Neyts-Uyttebroeck . I highlighted the dangers of extremism and sectarianism, which could lead to a civil war in Syria and a wider regional war. We had an excellent discussion about the role the EU can play in helping to end the repression in Syria and in supporting democratic development there. I welcome her and the EU’s support for the legitimate demands of the Syrian people for freedom and dignity. I look forward to working with Ms Neyts-Uyttebroeck and the EU to bring peaceful transitional democratic reform in Syria.”