Interim Syrian President, Ahmed al-Sharaa is in Germany for talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz on rebuilding his country and the return of refugees.
He was received by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin before talks with the German Chancellor.
Al-Sharaa was initially planning to visit Germany in January, but the trip was postponed as he sought to end fighting between Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the country’s north.
Government Spokesman Stefan Kornelius said before Monday’s talks that Germany’s interest is in seeing Syria rebuilt “as a stable and prosperous nation, including with the help of the many, many Syrians who came here to Germany and Europe during the civil war and found refuge here.”
Speaking at a Federal Foreign Office forum in Berlin on Monday, al-Sharaa said, “We want to put this difficult time behind us and now catch up with the rest of the world.”
He pointed to investment opportunities in Syria’s energy, transport and tourism sectors, describing his homeland as diverse and with “a great wealth of people.”
Al-Sharaa also suggested that he would like to see some of the Syrians who fled to Germany return to help with its reconstruction.
“These are Syrians who have studied at German universities, acquired German expertise and are now working in German companies. Through investments in Syria, they can then bring this expertise back to Syria.”
Ahmed al-Sharaa
A demonstration against the plan to send refugees back to Syria has been registered in Berlin on Monday under the slogan “No deportation deals with human rights abusers.”
About one million Syrians fled their war-torn country for Germany in recent years, many of them arriving at the peak of the influx in 2015-2016 to escape the war. The conservative Merz, who took power in May, has stepped up a drive to limit irregular immigration as he seeks to counter the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Merz said last year that with Syria’s war over, Syrians now have “no grounds for asylum in Germany.” The government in December resumed deportations to Syria although only a handful of cases have gone ahead so far.
Merz also said that he assumed many Syrians would return home voluntarily, drawing criticism from campaign groups who cited continued instability and rights abuses in Syria.
Germany Pledges To Support Syria’s Reconstruction
On his part, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said, “We stand with Syria,” pledging to support reconstruction efforts. He added, “The Syrians deserve a chance, and we want to help ensure that this opportunity is well utilised.”
Wadephul said that Germany sees significant potential for economic cooperation with Syria, promising support for the country’s economic recovery and reconstruction.
Speaking at an economic forum at the Foreign Ministry, where he hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and senior officials, Wadephul pledged German backing for Syria’s efforts to build functioning state institutions and a viable economy.
“Until recently, Syria suffered under a brutal dictatorship and the civil war that resulted from it. The task of developing statehood that can guarantee security, freedom and a life in dignity is immense today.”
Johann Wadephul
The Minister also stressed that Germany aims to play a strong role in Syria’s economic development, describing the medium- and long-term opportunities for bilateral cooperation and trade as “enormous.”
“Syria has great potential to develop as part of Europe’s neighborhood and the common economic area — as a market, but also as a producer, and above all as a partner. Syria is also a strategic hub between Europe, the Gulf states and the Indo-Pacific.”
Johann Wadephul
Referring to the impact of international conflicts and the US-Israeli war with Iran on the global economy, Wadephul said that Syria’s government was nonetheless making progress.
“The current situation in the world does not make your work any easier, and the situation in your neighbors certainly does not make it any easier. But your government has managed to prevent the current war from spilling over into Syrian territory.”
Johann Wadephul
He called it “a success, a great success.” “I see many steps in this regard that give me hope,” he added.
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