Germany and France Push for New Relationship with Syria During Historic Visit

In a landmark diplomatic visit to Syria on Friday, the foreign ministers of Germany and France, Annalena Baerbock and Jean-Noel Barrot, emphasized the European Union’s desire to forge a new relationship with the war-torn country. The ministers met with Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus, where they discussed the possibility of a peaceful transition and the future of Syria following years of civil conflict.
This visit is significant as it marks the first time EU foreign ministers have traveled to Syria since rebels seized control of the capital, Damascus, on December 8. The fall of Damascus resulted in the forced flight of President Bashar al-Assad, marking the end of his family’s decades-long rule in the country after more than 13 years of devastating civil war.
During their visit, Baerbock and Barrot outlined the EU’s position, calling for a peaceful transition in Syria. They expressed their hopes for stability and reconstruction in the country, while also emphasizing the importance of establishing a new diplomatic and economic relationship with the nation in light of the shifting power dynamics.
The fall of Damascus and the toppling of Assad’s regime have created a new political landscape, and European leaders are now seeking ways to engage with Syria, hoping to encourage a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict. While Baerbock and Barrot’s visit signals a shift in Europe’s approach to Syria, it remains to be seen how the international community will navigate the complexities of rebuilding Syria and addressing the humanitarian crisis left in the wake of the long-standing civil war.