Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reopened the embassy in Damascus during her visit, emphasizing the need for stability and reconstruction support in Syria. Following recent violence resulting in over 1,500 deaths, she called for accountability and urged the transitional government to ensure security for all population groups. Germany pledged significant financial assistance, aiming to engage diplomatically as part of a broader international rebuilding effort.
On Thursday, Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reopened her country’s embassy in Syria during a one-day visit to Damascus. This mission had been closed since 2012 due to the ongoing Syrian civil war and marks Baerbock’s second visit since president Bashar Assad’s fall three months ago. This visit follows recent sectarian violence that resulted in over 1,500 casualties on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, primarily affecting Assad’s Alawite minority.
Baerbock expressed deep concern over the recent violence stating, “The horrific outbreaks of violence two weeks ago have caused a massive loss of trust.” She urged the transitional government led by interim president Ahmed Al-Sharaa to manage internal group actions and ensure accountability for their behavior. Baerbock affirmed Germany’s desire to support Syria alongside European partners and the UN for reconstruction efforts.
To assist in rebuilding, Germany announced a donation of 300 million euros ($325 million) as part of a donor conference, which garnered total pledges of 5.8 billion euros. A source from the German foreign ministry confirmed that the embassy would operate with a small diplomatic team initially, while consular services will remain based in Beirut due to security considerations in Syria.
“Germany has a paramount interest in a stable Syria,” said the foreign ministry source, emphasizing the importance of building diplomatic connections for facilitating an inclusive political transition. Additionally, having diplomats in Syria will enable engagement with civil society and prompt responses to urgent issues.
Baerbock highlighted that any renewed relationship with Europe depends on the interim authorities guaranteeing security for all Syrians, regardless of religion or ethnic background. She acknowledged fears among the population regarding future safety, with renewed violence reported along the coast shortly after March 6, where security forces reportedly killed many civilians, predominantly Alawite.
Amidst ongoing tensions, Baerbock noted that foreign influence has historically led to chaos in Syria, stating, “The influence of foreign actors has brought nothing but chaos to Syria in the past.” She called for restraint from all parties involved, emphasizing that military actions must not undermine the ongoing intra-Syrian unification process.
Baerbock’s visit to Syria and the reopening of the embassy symbolize Germany’s commitment to supporting reconstruction and stability in the war-torn nation. With significant financial aid and a focus on diplomatic engagement, Germany aims to foster a political transition that includes all demographics. However, the success of these efforts hinges on ensuring security for all Syrians and addressing the ongoing threats of violence from both foreign and domestic actors.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
