EU reaches out to Syria’s new rulers, sends Germany and France’s foreign ministers to Damascus

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is travelling to Syria on Friday for a one-day trip alongside her French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on behalf of the European Union. During the visit, she will meet with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria’s new ruling regime, as per the German foreign ministry.

“My trip today - together with my French counterpart and on behalf of the EU - is a clear signal to the Syrians: A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible,” Baerbock said, according to a ministry statement issued before she left for Damascus.

She added that she was travelling to Syria with an “outstretched hand” after rebels seized control of Damascus on Dec. 8, forcing Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war and ending his family’s decades-long rule.

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“We now have a goal in mind that millions of Syrians also long for: that Syria can once again become a respected member of the international community,” she added.

Assad’s overthrow and HTS seizing control of Damascus

President Bashar al-Assad’s regime fell in Damascus in December 2024 after a prolonged civil war in the nation. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the leading militant group, seized control of Damascus, and forced Assad to flee to Russia, a close ally of the former President.

This has created a power vacuum, with various rebel groups now controlling different regions of the country.

Moreover, the militant group HTS is leading talks with international stakeholders, including a visit from Turkey’s foreign minister, and now foreign ministers from EU nations are also traveling to the crisis-hit country.

The new Syrian government is also working to reassure minority groups and rebuild trust across the nation.