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أوروبا اليوم: وزير الخارجية السوري يتحدث حصريا ليورونيوز بعد محادثات بين الاتحاد الأوروبي وسوريا
تجري محررتنا لشؤون أوروبا Maria Tadeo مقابلة حصرية مع وزير الخارجية السوري Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani بعد محادثات سورية‑أوروبية تاريخية هذا الأسبوع، والتي أفضت إلى اتفاق لإعادة العلاقات التجارية والدبلوماسية بالكامل بين الجانبين.
لمزيد من القراءة : http://arabic.euronews.com/2026/05/13/europe-today-syrian-foreign-minister-speaks-exclusively-to-euronews-after-landmark-eu-syri
سجل: يورونيوز متوفرة باثنا عشرة لغة
تجري محررتنا لشؤون أوروبا Maria Tadeo مقابلة حصرية مع وزير الخارجية السوري Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani بعد محادثات سورية‑أوروبية تاريخية هذا الأسبوع، والتي أفضت إلى اتفاق لإعادة العلاقات التجارية والدبلوماسية بالكامل بين الجانبين.
لمزيد من القراءة : http://arabic.euronews.com/2026/05/13/europe-today-syrian-foreign-minister-speaks-exclusively-to-euronews-after-landmark-eu-syri
سجل: يورونيوز متوفرة باثنا عشرة لغة
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02:37But another key partner in this, and they say this openly, this came up multiple times in my interview with
02:42the foreign minister, is the European Union.
02:45At this stage, as it stands, the European Union has lifted sanctions on Syria to give the economy a breather.
02:51It also is now moving into the full implementation of a cooperation agreement between the two countries.
02:57Obviously, the goal, again, is for the EU to play what they argue would be a stabilizer role in the
03:03country.
03:03And for Syria, it's about rebuilding the economy, so you have conditions for people to return and get this country
03:09back on track to the extent that it's possible in the shortest amount of time.
03:13Now, the EU, however, will say to fully restore ties with Syria, the authorities, the government there needs to ensure
03:20that the minorities, both religious and ethnic, are respected and they have equal rights.
03:25This principle of inclusivity is incredibly important for Brussels.
03:28So the message that was stressed to the Syrians, as I'm told by a number of diplomats, is that, yes,
03:33there is a window of opportunity.
03:35The EU wants to see a partnership that could see this country finally becoming stable in the Middle East.
03:41They also see it as a way to counter what they describe are malign actors, including Russia.
03:45Of course, Assad fled to Moscow immediately after his fall.
03:48But they also insist this principle of inclusivity is incredibly important for the European Union to move ahead.
03:54And the issue, of course, of migration played a big role as well in these.
03:57Well, this is this is absolutely a huge topic as it stands, because not just when you look at it
04:02through the prism of the EU, but really European governments, we are seeing that the political landscape in Europe is
04:09changing.
04:09Obviously, the discourse around migration, asylum rules and refugee status, which are three different things to some extent, is certainly
04:18much tougher.
04:18It has really hardened Germany, which is a country that took in the highest number of Syrians, has now completely
04:24changed its narrative from we will manage dealing with almost one million people who arrived in Germany to now the
04:30chancellor saying we need to accelerate the returns because the war is over and they need to rebuild this country.
04:36That was a question that I put to Syria's Foreign Minister Al-Shabani.
04:40And he told me, yes, they agree there is a need to rebuild the country, but it will not be
04:44chaotic.
04:45Syria has not committed to a specific number of people returning to the country.
04:49Let's take a look.
04:49There was no agreement on this matter, and there was no agreement on the number of Syrians to return to
04:58Syria.
04:58There has been talks about Syrian refugees in Europe and in Germany in particular, and there are talks and an
05:04agreement on a mechanism that will not hinder the process of reconstruction in Syria today.
05:09This is another thing I do not agree with, especially since today European countries no longer accept granting asylum to
05:15those who leave Syria, especially since today they believe that the situation in Syria evolved with a secure and stable
05:21law.
05:22However, we have warned against this matter, that imposing an involuntary and undignified return of Syrians will lead to chaos
05:29in Syria, and that the situation in Syria needs to create an appropriate environment.
05:35And you can watch the rest of that interview on Euronews.
05:39But now, EU defence ministers have wrapped up talks in Brussels, with the bloc's top diplomat, Kaya Callas, expressing frustration
05:47over the lack of progress in boosting arms production here in the EU.
05:51A big focus of the talks was also on how Ukraine should use a slice of the €90 billion loan
05:57for defence acquisitions.
05:58Our EU correspondent, Angela Skugins, asked Estonia's defence minister, that's Hanno Pevkor, how confident he was, though, that these EU
06:06funds won't be misused.
06:08This is in light, of course, of the corruption scandal engulfing Solensky's former chief of staff, Andrew Yermak.
06:14Well, we need to have the accountability in place, so there is no question.
06:19I believe it is definitely something Ukrainians are looking into very, like, seriously, because it's also important for them that
06:29there are no, like, rumours or no problems involved with that kind of assistance,
06:35because, at the end of the day, they need to get the support up and running for next years to
06:42come.
06:43And then even when the war will be over, or if the war will be over, then Ukrainians still need
06:47our assistance, our help, so to rebuild Ukraine and to help them to be a normal European country.
06:54So this is why it is first and foremost for the Ukrainians to show for their own people and for
07:00us that everything is in a good shape.
07:05And talks on security and defence will continue today in Bucharest, in the president of Ukraine's President Zelensky and NATO's
07:12eastern flank countries.
07:14But now moving on, EU institutions are getting ready for a long bank holiday weekend here in Belgium.
07:20But it won't be relaxing, given nerves are high over President Donald Trump's big trip to China tonight.
07:27With Brussels often caught up in the middle of the two great superpowers, this trip will be closely watched.
07:32Our Jakub Janus tells us why you should watch it, too.
07:37For the first time since 2017, Donald Trump visits...
07:41China.
07:42China's China.
07:42China.
07:43China.
07:44Yeah, I think you got it.
07:46Meeting Xi Jinping to discuss Iran nuclear weapons, trade and AI, the self-styled dealmaker arrives with a weakened hand.
07:54Because let me tell you, you don't have the cards.
07:56And between the increasingly unpopular Iran war at home and domestic courts striking down his tariffs, Trump needs a win.
08:04So your reporters started to wonder, what could this mean for Europe?
08:09Alright, first, the security bargain.
08:13Xi Jinping wants a signal that Washington is stepping back from Taiwan.
08:16And if Trump treats the island's security as a bargaining chip to secure China's help in ending the war in
08:23Iran, he might hollow out Europe's own strategic commitments in the Indo-Pacific.
08:28And Trump is also under pressure to relax chip export's controls for quick business deals.
08:33And if he treats away this edge, Washington and Beijing will set the global standards for AI alone, with Europe
08:40becoming just a rule-taker, not maker.
08:43And finally, there is the trade squeeze.
08:46European firms are already struggling to compete with cheap Chinese goods at home.
08:51So if Trump relaxes tariffs, the flood of cheaper electronic vehicles and steel might result in European exporters losing their
08:59competitive advantage in the US to the same Chinese rivals that are already flooding European shores.
09:06And speaking of trade, let's not forget Trump has given the EU a deadline until the 4th of July to
09:12finalize a new US-EU trade deal or face 25% tariffs on cars.
09:18And in Brussels, the center-right EPP group is rushing to settle, as a weakened Trump could turn his attention
09:25towards Europe next.
09:26However, socialists are standing firm, insisting that European legislation will not be shaped by threats on social media.
09:35Huh, and it's a cliché to say that the Chinese word for crisis, wei-chi, is translated as a danger
09:41and opportunity.
09:42And while wei is indeed danger, a better translation for chi is a crucial point.
09:50And it seems that for Europe, that crucial point is happening now.
09:59And now for the view from Australia on Trump's China trip and the freshly signed EU-Australia trade deal,
10:05I'm joined here in the studio by the Australian ambassador to the European Union and NATO.
10:09That is Mr. Angus Campbell.
10:11Good morning and welcome to Europe Today.
10:12Hi, Maeve. Thanks very much.
10:14Great. So as we're sitting here, President Trump is en route to China with tech leaders like Elon Musk and
10:19Tim Cook.
10:20What are you looking out for during this?
10:21Look, it's clearly a very important meeting, and it's important for the two countries, it's important for the world.
10:27A constructive relationship between China and the United States is something that I think we all hope for.
10:34And indeed, there are many issues that, if they work together, can be of great benefit to our world.
10:41So I wish them success, and I'm very pleased, and I think that we should all be very pleased,
10:47that they are talking and that a summit is occurring.
10:50And it's now up to the dialogue and what outcomes might emerge.
10:56And of course, Australia signed a massive trade deal with Brussels this very year,
11:00precisely to reduce dependencies on China for critical raw materials.
11:04Will that work, though?
11:05Look, we're delighted with the free trade agreement.
11:08The negotiations have concluded.
11:10President von der Leyen visited Australia to make the announcement with Prime Minister Albanese.
11:15The process now sees the agreement go through the ratification mechanisms.
11:22But this is a deal that's been negotiated for 10 years.
11:26Very careful, very sensitive, acknowledging concerns and interests on both sides.
11:32And I'm confident that we're seeing a balanced deal here, which is comprehensive,
11:38which is going to be of benefit to both sides.
11:40And it brings the two communities closer together.
11:44Australians trading into Europe, Europeans trading into Australia.
11:47Almost all barriers and tariffs removed.
11:51It's a good deal.
11:51It's a good deal.
11:52But will that help you wean off the dependencies on China?
11:55We have a constructive and a very significant trading relationship with China.
11:59And I think that that's going to continue.
12:01But we have a diverse trading relationship across the world.
12:04So Australia trades into North America, into the ASEAN nations, to South Asia, North Asia, into Europe.
12:14We're an island continent dependent on global trade, on the rules of trade.
12:21And free trade agreements matter because they enable the prosperity for all.
12:27And defence plays a big role as well in this trade deal.
12:30Tell us more.
12:30And do Australians support the fact that you're helping Ukraine?
12:32So in parallel to the announcement of the negotiations of a free trade agreement coming to conclusion,
12:39there was also the announcement of a security and defence partnership between Australia and the EU.
12:44And that's another step forward in building a relationship across the breadth of security and defence,
12:51often in areas of hybrid or advanced technology or things that are geographically borderless.
12:59And are Australian taxpayers comfortable with this?
13:01And people are very supportive of the idea that we reach out and we build more connections with more friends
13:07on more issues,
13:09because by doing so, we are better prepared in a world that's perhaps less predictable and more complex.
13:15And with a very transactional president as well in the White House.
13:18One final question on the social media ban that the European Union wants to copy from Australia.
13:22Is it working, though?
13:23How are you enforcing it?
13:24So the social media ban is about a relationship with the large social media companies,
13:29a bipartisan parliamentary concern for the well-being of our children,
13:34and indeed the increasing evidence scientifically of that concern,
13:39and a relationship with those social media companies to see their restraint on access
13:45until the age of 16 for young people in Australia.
13:49And we think it's the right way to move.
13:52And we note that many countries are now looking at similar models.
13:56And I think it's about the effort that you apply and the effort that collectively is applied
14:03to see a change in the normative behaviour of what we understand as social media
14:08and how it might affect our kids.
14:10Indeed, it's certainly been closely watched.
14:11Ambassador Campbell, thank you so much for coming in to us here on Europe Today.
14:14Thanks, mate.
14:15And now to Budapest, where Hungary's new government, led by Péter Maillard,
14:19has been officially sworn in for the next four years.
14:22The new Prime Minister promises to restore public trust and rebuild Hungary's international ties.
14:28For the latest, we can head straight to the Hungarian capital
14:30and bring in our correspondent, Joltán Ziboshegi.
14:33Good morning, Joltán.
14:34Just tell us who is who in this new government and what are their first priorities?
14:40Good morning, Europe Today.
14:41So actually, this new government is really diverse.
14:45Peter Maillard promised during the campaign that nobody can be a minister who was a chief politician in the last
14:54government.
14:55But actually, this promise was not fully kept because, for example,
14:59the new transport minister previously was the public transportation company's leader here in Budapest
15:05and also a far relative of Viktor Orbán,
15:08while the difference minister served as chief of staff during the previous political era.
15:13The finance minister had also worked as a state of secretary in Viktor Orbán's second government,
15:20but now he promises to introduce the euro around 2013.
15:25Most members of the new cabinet have been close allies for Peter Maillard
15:29since two years from the really beginning of his movement,
15:33and most of them, they are conservative.
15:35One notable exception is Balint Roof, the minister leading the prime minister's office,
15:42who was a really big critic of the Orbán government
15:47and a really popular podcaster.
15:49He promised the biggest investigation in Hungarian history against the corruption cases.
15:55The government also includes internationally respected businessmen.
16:02The new interior minister, for example, is a former leader of the Katalon,
16:06and also the economic minister was a top manager for Shell.
16:10Peter Maillard has also a small scandal because he appointed his brother-in-law as a minister of justice,
16:18but after seeing the public rage, it changed his mind.
16:21And so the technocrat government now tries to rebuild all the international ties,
16:26same as the schools and hospitals.
16:29And first and foremost, the most important,
16:31they tried to take home the 10 billion euros EU found what was frozen.
16:36And according to our sources, it's not going to be easy.
16:39We hope that all the ministers will work with that passion,
16:43how our health minister was performing his iconic dance,
16:48what was viral on the whole internet.
16:50Absolutely. That dance was something else.
16:53Joltan Siboshegi, thank you so much for that live update there from Budapest.
16:57Now moving on, EU ambassadors will be getting together today for the very first time
17:01to come up with a joint plan for containing the spread of the deadly hantavirus.
17:06For an expert opinion, we can bring in now Professor Luke O'Neill
17:10from Trinity College in Dublin.
17:12Good morning, Luke O'Neill.
17:14Normally I tell my guests, lovely to have you with us,
17:16but in this case, when I see you, it's normally for bad news.
17:19But just tell us, we're hearing the World Health Organisation says there's no risk
17:23to the general population and the hantavirus is not like COVID-19.
17:27What is your view here?
17:29That's exactly correct.
17:30Yeah, it's not like COVID at all.
17:32It's a different virus, different disease, of course.
17:35Very rare, this disease, the hantavirus causes overall.
17:38Extremely rare.
17:39You know, unfortunately, of course, this outbreak on that cruise ship has happened.
17:42and we need a bit of caution because it's got a high mortality is one worry.
17:46Forty percent people might die of this, but it's extremely rare.
17:49So it's nothing to worry about at the moment.
17:51As long as we contain it properly, of course, is the key thing.
17:53As long as we can contain it properly.
17:54But people are alarmed because the headlines are alarming,
17:57bringing us back to those days of COVID.
18:00What would your advice to people be?
18:03Don't worry.
18:04Don't worry at all at the moment.
18:05I mean, let's just keep an eye on it and all the great and the good.
18:08The CDC in the US, of course, in Europe as well.
18:11Our agencies are keeping a very close eye on this.
18:13I mean, clearly, it's a bit scary given the level of mortality that we've seen reported.
18:18People have died of this virus.
18:19It was extremely rare.
18:20Remember, in Argentina, about 100 cases per year out of a population of about 40 million.
18:26That's how rare it is as a disease.
18:28You know, but again, it's something to watch.
18:29Our initial fear was the virus might have changed.
18:32It might have been worse.
18:33That's not the case.
18:34It's the Andes strain of Hanta.
18:36And it's been seen for years and years.
18:38We know a fair bit about this.
18:40We do.
18:40And, of course, more cases are expected after the long isolation periods.
18:44And EU ambassadors will be gathering today here in Brussels for the very first time to discuss this.
18:48But, of course, as you say, it's not an emergency.
18:50But what would your advice be to those politicians in the room today?
18:56Well, one good thing is it is a real disease in South America.
18:59So we may learn more about it anyway from this incident.
19:01And that might help the situation in South America where it's more common.
19:05And the second thing is, of course, we need to be a little bit cautious.
19:07You can understand why they're meeting because it's all over the media.
19:11European citizens are concerned, of course.
19:12So anything we can do to reassure people is the most important thing, I feel.
19:16And at the moment, you're right.
19:17The funny thing about this virus is it can incubate in the body for 40 days.
19:21In other words, you can catch it.
19:22No symptoms for a week or two.
19:24Hence the 42-day quarantine.
19:26There's two Irish people, many nationalities, stuck in quarantine for the next few weeks just in case the disease emerges.
19:32And that makes perfect sense to keep an eye on these people.
19:34OK, Professor Luke O'Neill, thank you so much for joining us and sharing your expert opinion with us here
19:39on Europe Today on Euronews.
19:41And thank you so much for tuning in, as always, for more news on the hantavirus or any of the
19:46stories we're covering for you here.
19:48Take a look at euronews.com.
19:50And you can reach out to us, of course.
19:51Drop us a line, europetoday at euronews.com.
19:55That is our email address.
19:56We love hearing from you.
19:57Take care, though, and see you soon here on Euronews.
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