The German foreign ministry said on Friday that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will go to Syria for a single-day visit with her French counterpart as part of the EU.
She will meet with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria’s new rulers, during the trip.
Baerbock stated in a ministry statement that her departure for Damascus today, in conjunction with her French counterpart and on behalf of the EU, is a clear signal to the Syrians that a new political beginning between Europe and Syria, as well as between Germany and Syria, is possible.
The first high-ranking EU diplomats to visit Syria since rebels took Damascus on December 8—ending President Bashar al-Assad’s family’s decades-long rule and more than 13 years of civil war—are Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
On the social media platform X, Barrot stated, “In Syria, we want to promote a peaceful and demanding transition in the service of Syrians and regional stability.”
The Islamist rebels under Sharaa’s leadership, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have been trying to reassure Arab nations and the world community since they deposed Assad that they will govern Syria for the people, not bring another Islamic revolution abroad.
Western governments are currently in the process of gradually establishing communication with Sharaa and HTS, a Sunni Muslim group that was previously affiliated with Al Qaeda. They are also considering the possibility of removing the group’s terrorist designation.
Baerbock stated that she was traveling to Syria with “clear expectations” of the new rulers, who she said would be evaluated based on their actions, as well as an outstretched hand.
“We know where the HTS comes from ideologically, what it has done in the past,” said Baerbock.
