French-German Foreign Minister Flies To Damascus, Meets New Syrian Leader

JAKARTA - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock traveled to Syria for a one-day visit with her French counterpart on behalf of the European Union. German and French Foreign Ministers will meet Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria's new rulers.

"My trip today together with my partner from France and on behalf of the EU is a clear signal for Syria. The start of the new politics between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria is possible," Baerbock said.

Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrut are the first high diplomats from the European Union to visit Syria since rebels took control of Damascus on December 8.

The insurgent movement saw President Bashar al-Assad flee after more than 13 years of civil war until the end of the Assad family era for decades.

"In Syria, we want to encourage a peaceful and demanding transition in the interests of the Syrian people and regional stability," Barrot said through social media platform X.

Since overthrowing Assad, Islamic rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) led by Sharaa have tried to convince Arab countries and their international community will rule on behalf of all Syrian citizens and not 'export' the Islamic revolution.

The governments of Western countries are gradually opening channels with Sharaa and HTS, the Sunni Muslim group that was previously affiliated with Al Qaeda, and are starting to debate whether to remove the designation of the group as terrorists.

Baerbock mengatakan dirinya melakukan perjalanan ke Syria dengan lombahan tangan' serta harapan yang jelas terhadap penguas baru.

"We know where HTS originated ideologically, what he has done in the past," Baerbock said.

"But we also hear and see the desire to be moderate and understanding with other important actors," he added.