BERLIN (Reuters) – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is traveling to Syria on a one-day visit with her French counterpart on behalf of the EU, where she will meet with the leader of the new Syrian regime, Ahmed al-Sharaa, a German foreign minister. the service said on Friday.
“My trip today – with my French and EU counterpart – is a clear sign for Syrians: A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible,” said Baerbock, according to the service. a statement issued before he left for Damascus.
He added that he was traveling to Syria “with an open hand” after rebels seized control of Damascus on Dec. 8, forcing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war and ending his family's decades-long rule. .
“We now have a goal in mind that millions of Syrians long for: for Syria to once again be a respected member of the international community,” he added.