German and French Foreign Ministers arrive in Syria
Photo: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Vitalii Nosach/RBC-Ukraine)
On January 3, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Minister for Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noël Barrot arrived in Damascus as part of an EU delegation visit. This trip signals a potential new political beginning between Europe and Syria, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing Reuters and DW.
"My trip today - together with my French counterpart and on behalf of the EU - is a clear signal to the Syrians: A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible," Baerbock said, according to Reuters.
As the DW reports, the ministers plan to meet with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power following the ousting of dictator Bashar al-Assad by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8, 2024.
The German Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Germany intends to assist Syria in achieving an "inclusive, peaceful transfer of power, societal reconciliation, and the country's reconstruction. "
Baerbock emphasized that while there is potential for restoring relations between Germany, Europe, and Syria, this is contingent upon "clear expectations" from the new rulers in Damascus. These expectations include equal rights for women and men in Syria, as well as for all ethnic and religious groups in the country. "We will continue to judge HTS based on their actions," Baerbock added.
Meanwhile, Barrot stated that France seeks to "support a peaceful and demanding transition that serves the Syrian people and regional stability."
Situation in Syria after fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime
According to Reuters, the French and German Foreign Ministers are the first high-ranking EU diplomats to visit Syria since rebels seized control of Damascus on December 8, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war.
On January 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also announced that Ukraine would assist in stabilizing Syria after the fall of Assad's regime, including by supplying Ukrainian grain to local Syrians.
