Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani will be heading to Syria to encourage the transition in the country following the ouster of President Bashar Assad by Islamist insurgents.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is travelling to Syria on Friday to encourage the country’s transition following the ouster of President Bashar Assad by Islamist insurgents, and said Europe should review its sanctions on Damascus now that the political situation has changed.

Italy’s foreign minister said Thursday that coordination between partners is a “strategic” element to achieve peace and stability in Syria. Antonio Tajani made the remarks after holding a meeting of the Quint group in Italy ahead of his trip to the Syrian capital Damascus.

Antony Blinken was heading on Thursday to Rome for talks with European counterparts on bringing stability to Syria in the face of flare-ups with Turkey.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan highlighted the importance of taking immediate action for the reconstruction of Syria, including lifting sanctions in

Foreign ministers from Italy, France, Germany, Britain and the United States will meet this week over the situation in Syria, Italy said Tuesday.

In phone call with Italian premier, Recep Tayyip Erdogan says lifting sanctions on Syria with Italy taking lead would benefit this process - Anadolu Ajansı

Italy said it is prepared to make proposals on private investments in health care for Syrians, and is seeking to coordinate several post-Assad initiatives.

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Wednesday he would travel to Syria Friday where he plans to announce an initial development aid package for the country ravaged by years of war.

ROME (Reuters) - NATO needs a stronger focus on the south and Africa, Italy's prime minister told a news conference on Thursday, saying Russia might boost its presence in eastern Libya after the collapse of its allied regime in Syria.

Syria's economy has been decimated by more than a decade of civil war and sanctions that have severed it from the global financial system.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is travelling to Syria on Friday to encourage the transition in the country following the ouster of President Bashar Assad by Islamist insurgents.