Greek Ambassador stays in Damascus – Athens wants to help protect Syria’s cultural heritage

In the first hours after anti-Assad forces captured Damascus, there was confusion about the situation on the ground, given that these militants mostly come from jihadist organisations.

Although the Greek Ambassador to Syria, Nicolas Protonotarios, stated to ERT that he planned to leave Damascus on Monday morning, the situation on the ground was reviewed, and the diplomat decided to stay.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis confirmed the decision yesterday, noting that “the Greek ambassador remains there.”

“Should the need arise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Greek diplomats are fully prepared for any request,” he added.

At the same time, Greece wants to play a role in protecting Syria’s vast cultural heritage, Kathimerini reported.

The archaeological wealth of Syria from the Hellenistic times, which the previous regime respected and protected, should not be forgotten,

It should be noted that only three embassies of EU member states remain active at the moment: Greece, Italy, and Romania. This has, if nothing else, its value at a time when the next Syrian regime is still essentially unknown.

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