EU to engage with Syrian leaders and reopen delegation

The European Union will establish contacts with Syria's new leadership and reopen its delegation in the country, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.

Von der Leyen also said the EU would increase humanitarian aid to Syria. But she warned of the risk of a resurgence by Islamic State and said this must not be allowed to happen.

Kallas told the European Parliament that while the EU delegation - which is like an embassy - in Syria was never officially closed, there had not been an accredited ambassador in Damascus during the war in Syria.