French and German Foreign Ministers Extend Proposal for Political Fresh Start in Syria

January 3, 2025 TruthUSA

Annalena Baerbock insists that every Syrian should be given the opportunity to participate in the political process, regardless of their religious or ethnic background.

The French and German foreign ministers are currently in Damascus to engage with Syria’s new leadership and propose a “political fresh start” following the downfall of the Assad regime.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, are scheduled to meet with Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, which played a crucial role in ousting Bashar al-Assad and forcing him into exile in Russia.

Representing the European Union, the duo aims to foster a new relationship with Syria after years of discord and suspicion.

Baerbock articulated in a statement that this visit signifies a potential fresh start in the ties between Europe and Syria, especially Germany and Syria.

She extended her hand to HTS and other groups that assumed power after December 8, 2024, marking the end of 13 years of civil war and over 50 years of Assad family rule.

Baerbock: ‘Goal in Mind’

Baerbock emphasized the shared goal of millions of Syrians for Syria to regain its standing in the international community.

Germany hosts around a million Syrian refugees, who fled to Europe after the failed 2011 uprising that triggered the Syrian civil war.

Barrot, in a social media post, affirmed that France and Germany are united with the diverse Syrian populace, advocating for a peaceful transition that serves the Syrians and regional stability.

Baerbock stressed the importance of a “new beginning,” contingent on Syria’s future government granting a role in the political process to all individuals regardless of their religion or ethnicity.

While Syria is predominantly Sunni Muslim and Arab, it also comprises Christian, Kurdish, Druze, and Alawite minorities, with the Alawites being closely linked to the former Assad regime.

In December 2024, hundreds of Christians protested in Damascus after a Christmas tree was set on fire in the Hama governorate.

Laila Farkouh, one of the protesters, stated their demand for rights and condemnation of the tree burning and church attacks, emphasizing their refusal to accept such actions.

Al-Sharaa, striving to distance HTS from its jihadist origins tied to al-Qaeda, assured the safety of Christians in Syria.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock delivers a speech during the congress of the Green Party (Buendnis 90/Die Gruenen) in Bonn, Germany, on Oct. 15, 2022. (Ina Fassbender/ file /AFP via Getty Images) — German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock delivers a speech during the congress of the Green Party (Buendnis 90/Die Gruenen) in Bonn, Germany, on Oct. 15, 2022. Ina Fassbender/ file /AFP via Getty Images

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meets with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East John X (Yazigi), in Damascus, Syria, on Jan. 3, 2025. (Khalil Ashawi /Reuters) — French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot meets with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East John X (Yazigi), in Damascus, Syria, on Jan. 3, 2025. Khalil Ashawi /Reuters

The visit began with a meeting between the foreign ministers and Christian leaders in Damascus.

Recently, al-Sharaa expressed to the Saudi channel al-Arabiya that Syria may require up to four years for constitutional drafting, conducting a census, and organizing elections.

Warning About ‘Islamification’

Baerbock cautioned against prolonged delays in transitioning to elections or steps towards Islamification of the justice or education system, which could undermine the rights of all Syrians.

Her remarks followed changes announced on Facebook in the Syrian school curriculum earlier this week.

Baerbock also stressed the importance of avoiding retaliatory actions against religious or ethnic groups, particularly referring to the Alawite community associated with the Assad regime.

The Alawites, a Shi’ite offshoot, held key positions in Assad’s security forces, and recently, SANA reported the killing of 14 policemen in Tartous by remnants of Assad’s militias.

Despite diplomatic efforts and visits by delegations, such as the State Department delegation last December, Western nations, including the US, continue to uphold sanctions imposed during Assad’s rule.

Nevertheless, the US rescinded the $10 million bounty on al-Sharaa, formerly designated as a dangerous Islamist terrorist leading the al-Nusra Front, later rebranded as HTS.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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