German and French Foreign Ministers visit Syria for historic talks with new rulers, signaling EU's readiness for a new political beginning after years of conflict.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is travelling to Syria for a one-day trip with her French counterpart on behalf of the EU, where she will meet Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Syria's new rulers, the German foreign ministry said on Friday.
"My trip today - together with my French counterpart and on behalf of the EU - is a clear signal to the Syrians: A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible," Baerbock said, according to a ministry statement issued before she left for Damascus.
Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot are the first top diplomats from the European Union to visit Syria since rebels seized control of Damascus on Dec. 8, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee after more than 13 years of civil war and ending his family's decades-long rule.
"In Syria, we want to promote a peaceful and demanding transition in the service of the Syrians and for regional stability," Barrot said on social media platform X.
Since ousting Assad, Islamist rebels led by Sharaa's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have sought to reassure Arab countries and the international community that they will govern on behalf of all Syrians and not export Islamist revolution.
Western governments have begun to gradually open channels with Sharaa and HTS, a Sunni Muslim group previously affiliated with Al Qaeda, and are starting to debate whether to remove the group's terrorist designation.
Baerbock said she was travelling to Syria with an "outstretched hand" as well as "clear expectations" of the new rulers, who she said would be judged by their actions.
"We know where the HTS comes from ideologically, what it has done in the past," said Baerbock.
"But we also hear and see the desire for moderation and for understanding with other important actors," she added, citing talks with U.S.-allied Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The goal now is for Syria to once again become a respected member of the international community, she added.
Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, has announced that Turkish low-cost carrier AJet will begin operating regular flights to Damascus later this month.
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Syria is initiating economic reformation by reopening its economic markets, which have been through complete Paralysis for the past six months- considering it as the longest shutdown ever since the over-decade war and sanctions.
Qatar reaffirmed its commitment to help Syria by supplying electricity, paying off Syria’s World Bank debts, and providing financial support to cover public sector salaries for three months.
With the collapse of the Assad regime and growing stability in Syria, thousands of displaced civilians are returning from refugee camps to rebuild their lives amid widespread devastation.
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President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation reinstating a travel ban that restricts entry to the United States for citizens of 12 countries, citing national security threats and inadequate vetting processes.
In a historic move, President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions on four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing their involvement in cases targeting U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Israeli officials over alleged war crimes.
Albania’s Parliament has approved a bilateral agreement to enhance security cooperation and provide long-term support to Ukraine, marking a new phase in Tirana’s alignment with Kyiv amid ongoing regional instability.
In a sweeping new proclamation issued late Wednesday night, President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on the enrollment of new Chinese and other foreign students at Harvard University.
A U.S. appeals panel has rejected Apple’s request to pause a ruling that restricts the tech giant from charging commissions on in-app purchases made outside its payment system—delivering a major blow to the company in its long-running legal fight with Epic Games.
President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation reinstating a travel ban that restricts entry to the United States for citizens of 12 countries, citing national security threats and inadequate vetting processes.
In a historic move, President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed sanctions on four judges from the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing their involvement in cases targeting U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Israeli officials over alleged war crimes.
Albania’s Parliament has approved a bilateral agreement to enhance security cooperation and provide long-term support to Ukraine, marking a new phase in Tirana’s alignment with Kyiv amid ongoing regional instability.
In a sweeping new proclamation issued late Wednesday night, President Donald Trump has announced an immediate ban on the enrollment of new Chinese and other foreign students at Harvard University.
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