German and French Foreign Ministers Make Unannounced Visit to Syria

German and French Foreign Ministers Annalena Baerbock and Jean-Noël Barrot have made an unannounced visit to Syria on Friday, where they are slated to hold talks with the leader of armed groups that have come to power in Damascus, Ahmed al-Sharaa. This was announced by the German Foreign Ministry.

In addition to talks with al-Sharaa, the ministers are expecting meetings with representatives of civil society. According to the statement from the German Foreign Ministry, the trip is carried out on behalf of the EU.

Before heading to Damascus, Baerbock remarked that "a new beginning in Syria will only be possible if Syrian society ensures the inclusion of all Syrians, both women and men, in the political processes regardless of ethnic and religious affiliation."

She also emphasized the need to ensure that the transitional period in Syria is not accompanied by delays in elections or steps aimed at the Islamization of the judicial and educational systems.