EU seeks Syria stability, Russian withdrawal as German, French FMs visit
Europe views Syria as crucial to its stability, particularly regarding migration, and is hoping to reduce Russia’s presence in the country following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, said one expert.
German Foreign Minister Anna Baerbock called on Friday for Russia to withdraw militarily from Syria and said European support for the new Syrian administration will depend on what political changes are made, demonstrating the European Union’s priorities in its engagement with Damascus in the post-Assad era.
Baerbock and her French counterpart, Jean-Noel Barrot, arrived in Damascus on Friday, becoming the first EU foreign ministers to visit Syria since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad last month. The two diplomats met the leader of Syria’s interim government, Ahmed al-Sharaa, after their arrival.
During the meeting, Barrot and Baerbock expressed their “desire for a peaceful, rigorous transition” in the country that “represents Syria’s diverse society.” They called for the “necessary safeguarding of collective security interests,” referring to the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) and the safeguarding of chemical weapons used by Assad’s forces, according to a statement from the French Foreign Ministry.
Damaskus: Syriens neuer Machthaber, der Islamist Ahmad Al-Sharaa gibt Frauen grundsätzlich nicht die Hand.
— Andreas Kynast (@andikynast) January 3, 2025
Die Begrüßung von Außenministerin Baerbock und ihrem französischen Kollegen Barrot gilt für seine Verhältnisse als freundlich. pic.twitter.com/XcMwxFMfqP
