The heads of French and German diplomacy in Syria

Paris/BERLIN (Reuters) – Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot arrived in Damascus on Friday where he will meet with his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, the new de facto leader of Syria, Ahmed al Charaa, within the framework of a joint visit on behalf of the European Union (EU).

“This visit will mark the desire of France and Germany to stand alongside the Syrian people (…) after the fall of the Bashar al Assad regime,” wrote the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release. published before the departure of Jean-Noël Barrot.

“The on-site exchanges will also allow ministers to work on responding to collective security challenges, first and foremost the fight against terrorism,” the press release continued.

While waiting for the planned meeting with Ahmed Hussein al Charaa, Jean-Noël Barrot went to the premises of the French Embassy in Damascus, closed since 2012, we learned from diplomatic sources.

“He met and praised the work of the Syrian personnel who watched over our diplomatic assets,” said the sources, adding that the minister reaffirmed the need to work on the reopening of the diplomatic representation according to the evolution of political conditions. and safe.

“France will prepare, in a gradual and conditioned manner, the terms of its return to Syria,” the sources also indicate.

VISIT TO SAIDNAYA PRISON

The German and French foreign ministers, who arrived separately in Damascus, will also meet representatives of Syrian civil society and visit Saidnaya prison, near the Syrian capital.

“My trip today – with my French counterpart and on behalf of the EU – is a clear signal to Syrians: a new political start between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible,” said Annalena Baerbock, according to a statement from the German Foreign Ministry published before her departure for Damascus.

Annalena Baerbock and Jean-Noël Barrot are the first ministers from European Union member states to visit Syria since rebels took control of Damascus on December 8, forcing President Bashar al Assad to seek refuge in Russia after more than 13 years of civil war.

“Together, France and Germany stand alongside the Syrian people, in all their diversity,” Jean-Noël Barrot wrote on the social network X.

“In Syria, we want to promote a peaceful and demanding transition in the service of the Syrians and for regional stability,” he adds.

Annalena Baerbock said she was going to Syria with an “outstretched hand” and “clear expectations” of the new leaders, who, according to her, will be judged by their actions.

“We know where the HTC comes from ideologically, what it has done in the past,” she said, referring to the Syrian militia Hayat Tahrir al Sham, previously known as the Nusra Front, the former Syrian branch of Al Qaeda.

Ahmed al Charaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al Joulani, his jihadist fighter name, is the head of the HTC.

“But we also hear and see the desire for moderation and understanding with other important actors,” noted Annalena Baerbock, however, citing discussions with the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), allies of the United States.

According to Annalena Baerbock, Germany and its international partners are determined to ensure that Syria's internal affairs are not disrupted by external influences. In particular, she called on Russia to put an end to its military bases in Syria.

The goal now is for Syria to once again become a respected member of the international community, she said.

(Written by Camille Raynaud and Claude Chendjou, with contributions from Elizabeth Pineau and Dominique Vidalon in Paris, Miranda Murray in Berlin, edited by Blandine Hénault)