German, Austrian Interior Ministers visit Damascus to discuss refugee return
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser arrived on Sunday in the Syrian capital, Damascus, marking a significant visit a month after canceling a previously scheduled trip due to security concerns.
At the end of March, Faeser and her Austrian counterpart, Gerhard Karner, abruptly canceled their planned trip to Jordan citing security issues.
On this visit, Faeser is once again accompanied by Karner. According to multiple media reports, the main objective of the visit is to explore the possibility of facilitating the voluntary return of Syrian refugees, in addition to discussing deportation procedures to Syria.
Upon their arrival in Damascus, the ministers and their accompanying delegation were received by Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
During her remarks, Faeser emphasized that many Syrian refugees in Germany have successfully integrated by finding employment, learning the German language, and building new lives.
“Of course, these individuals must be allowed to stay,” she affirmed. However, she stressed the urgency of deporting others, particularly “criminal offenders and Islamist extremists.”
At the beginning of the meeting with Syrian officials, Faeser noted, “The fall of the Assad regime would represent an opportunity for Syria to transition toward democracy.”