German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned Syria’s new leaders this Friday that Europe will not finance the creation of Islamic institutions in the country.
“Europe will give its support, but will not finance new Islamist structures”, warned the German Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbockvisiting Damascus with his French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrotwhere they met with the new Syrian leader, Ahmad al-Charaa, at the presidential palace in the Syrian capital.
Ahmad al-Charaa is the leader of the radical Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the coalition that on December 8, 2024.
O HTS, former Syrian branch of the terrorist organization Al-Qaidaclaims to have broken with ‘jihadism’, but continues to be classified as a “terrorist group” by several Western capitals, including Washington.
The visit by Baerbock and Barrot, the first European ministers to visit Syria since rebels took control of Damascus, was aimed at sending a cautious commitment message to Islamist rebels, recognizing their status of new rulers of Syria and calling for moderation and respect for the rights of minorities.
The head of German diplomacy also insisted on the place that should be reserved for women and their rights in the new Syria.
“It is now necessary to establish a political dialogue that includes all groups ethnic and religious and that includes all citizens, especially the women of this country”, he maintained.
“All of them must be involved in the constitutional process and the future Syrian Government. Because, especially in this region, we know that women’s rights are the indicator of a society that shows its attachment to individual freedom”, he stressed.
“We convey this clearly to the leaders here in Damascus today. It was important to know that they understood”, added Annalena Baerbock.
Asked whether the EU could soon begin to lift sanctions imposed on Syria, Baerbock said that such depends on political progressand cited “some positive signs”, adding that it is too early to act.
“The last few weeks have demonstrated that there is a lot of hope in Syria that the future will be one of freedom. Free for everyone, regardless of their ethnic origin, gender or religion. But it is far from certain that this is the case”, said Baerbock, quoted by .
Since Assad’s ouster, Syria’s new rulers have sought to assure the international community that will govern in the name of all the Syrians and not impose the Islamic revolution.
Western governments began to gradually open channels with Sharaa and HTS, and are debating the possibility of remove terrorist designation to the group.
Many questions remain about the future of a multiethnic country where foreign states, including Turkey and Russia have strong interests and potentially competitors.
Baerbock said that if went to Syria with an “outstretched hand” and with “clear expectations” regarding the new rulers, who, according to her, would be judged by their actions. “We know where HTS comes from ideologically and what he did in the past,” he said in a statement.
Jean-Noel Barrot, for his part, also expressed the hope of a Syria “sovereign and secure” that leaves no room for terrorism, chemical weapons or malignant foreign actors, during a meeting with representatives of Syrian civil society organizations.
Germany and France intend offer technical help and advice to Syria during the drafting of a new constitution, the French foreign minister told journalists, stating that the hope for a democratic transition is “fragile more real“.
Barrot also visited the French embassy, which has been closed since 2012where he stated that France will work to reestablish diplomatic representation in accordance with political and security conditions, diplomatic sources said.
During their visit, the two ministers visited Syria’s most famous prison, the Sednaya complex, the scene of “” during the Bashar Al-Assad regime.
