France and Germany Push for Stability in Syria During Historic Diplomatic Visit
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Salma Hossein
- . January 3, 2025
- . Update: January 3, 2025 5:31 pm
Foreign Minister of Germany Annalena Baerbock and French diplomat Jean-Noel Barrot visited to Saydnaya prison of Syria on Friday. This visit was scheduled as a first round of interaction after the formation of new government in Syria.
Barrot and Baerbock jointly represnted the European Union and they met with Ahmed al-Sharaa who is the leader of the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
During the meeting Barrot said that France and Germany are committed to support people of Syria. He showed his strong hopes for a “sovereign, stable, and peaceful” Syria, though he acknowledged it’s a fragile hope.
He said Genrmany wants to see Syria a “safe home” for all its people, aiming for the country to have full control over its territory. She also stated that the visit signals a possible new relationship between Syria, Germany, and Europe.
HTS is connected to Al-Qaeda and is seen as a terrorist group. But Baerbock stressed the need to help the Syrian people during this crucial time. She asked the new leaders to avoid taking revenge, delaying elections, or making the country’s laws and education system more religiously strict.
During their visit, Barrot and Baerbock also plan to visit Saydnaya prison, which is known for human rights abuses under Assad’s regime, including torture and disappearances.
Earlier, Barrot met with representatives of Syria’s Christian communities and reaffirmed France’s commitment to a Syria where all groups have equal rights.
This visit comes after many years of tense relations due to Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011 when Assad responded violently to peaceful protests. The war led to over 500,000 deaths and millions of displaced people. Many countries, including France and Germany, closed their embassies during the war.
Now newly formed government in Syria is asking that sanctions on Syria should be removed, Syria should give space to build new relationships on global stage. These will help Syria to rebuil Syria.
