France, German FMs pay historic visit to Damascus
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock arrived on Friday in Damascus, marking the first high-level visit by Western officials to Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
The visit, confirmed by the French Foreign Ministry, represents a significant milestone in diplomatic efforts toward stabilizing the region.
Barrot and Baerbock are scheduled to meet Ahmad al-Sharaa, defacto leader of the new administration of Syria, to discuss the country’s transition and future.
Baerbock said that her visit was “a clear signal” – on behalf of the EU – to open the way for a “new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria”.
In a statement, Baerbock acknowledged the international community’s reservations about Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the coalition of opposition factions that played a pivotal role in Assad’s ousting. She stressed, however, the importance of “seizing this critical opportunity to support the Syrian people.”
“We know where the HTS comes from ideologically, what it has done in the past,” said Baerbock. “But we also hear and see the desire for moderation and for understanding with other important actors,” she added, citing talks with US-allied Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The French Foreign Ministry emphasized that the talks in Damascus will focus on fostering a peaceful transition of power that ensures the rights of all Syrians. Barrot added, the aim was to promote a “peaceful” transition for “the Syrian people and for regional stability.”