Denmark reopened its embassy in Damascus on Monday after a 14-year closure, marking a further step in Syria’s renewed diplomatic engagement with European countries following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen formally reopened the embassy alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani. Denmark had closed the mission in 2012 as European governments curtailed diplomatic relations with Damascus during the Syrian conflict.
Speaking at the reopening ceremony, Rasmussen said Denmark remained committed to supporting Syria’s recovery and had allocated an additional $76 million this year for early recovery, stabilization and refugee-return efforts.
He said around 1,000 Syrians had voluntarily returned from Denmark since the fall of the former government, with Copenhagen prepared to assist further voluntary returns.
Rasmussen also expressed support for expanding trade and investment between the two countries, alongside cooperation in education, research, culture and political dialogue.
The restored diplomatic presence is expected to enable Copenhagen to engage more directly with Syria’s authorities and developments on the ground.
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Al-Shaibani described the reopening as the beginning of a new chapter in Syrian-Danish relations and said the restoration of diplomatic missions in Damascus reflected Syria’s growing international engagement.
He also called for greater European participation in Syria’s reconstruction and investment. Following the ceremony, Rasmussen met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the People’s Palace in Damascus.
The two sides discussed strengthening bilateral relations as well as cooperation on recovery and reconstruction aimed at supporting stability in Syria.
The reopening comes as European engagement with Damascus gradually expands under Syria’s post-Assad authorities.
Germany and Spain restored their diplomatic presence in Damascus in 2025, while Britain re-established full diplomatic relations with Syria later that year. France has also moved towards restoring ambassador-level representation.
Denmark had announced in January that it planned to reopen the embassy, saying a permanent diplomatic presence would allow Copenhagen to follow developments in Syria more closely and strengthen cooperation with the Syrian government, including on the return of Syrians. Monday’s reopening formally implements that decision.
Anoush Taimur is an International Relations graduate from DHA Suffa University, Karachi, currently based in Doha. Her research interests include Gulf politics, small-state diplomacy, Global South studies and conflict
mediation. Her work examines how states create influence through connectivity, institutions and strategic relationships. She can be reached at [email protected]
