During her visit to Syria, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock outlined conditions for European support of the new leadership, emphasizing inclusivity and justice. She refrained from shaking hands with Ahmed al-Scharaa, who recently took power, and highlighted the need for women’s rights in the new regime. Baerbock also visited Zaya prison, condemning past atrocities and expressing gratitude to the Syrian White Helmets for their role against the Assad regime. The future of Syria remains uncertain yet pivotal.
Baerbock’s Visit to Syria: A Diplomatic Stance
During her recent trip to Damascus, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock laid out specific conditions regarding Europe’s support for the newly established Syrian leadership. Notably, she refrained from shaking hands, signaling a cautious approach to diplomacy.
In the presidential palace, Baerbock, alongside her French counterpart Jean-Noë Barrot, met with Ahmed al-Scharaa, a leader recently appointed amid hopes for a more democratic Syria. Al-Scharaa, who expelled Bashar al-Assad with his HTS militia just four weeks prior, is under scrutiny as many Syrians hope he will not adopt dictatorial tendencies.
Conditions for Support and Emphasis on Inclusion
Baerbock stressed that Europe would not fund new Islamist regimes, insisting that the new Syrian leadership must reflect all segments of society. She asserted that the constitutional process must involve everyone, aiming for a peaceful and liberated future for Syria.
The German Foreign Minister also highlighted that a genuine new beginning hinges on confronting the past, establishing justice, and preventing acts of vengeance. Notably, during the meeting, al-Scharaa did not shake hands with Baerbock but engaged in an animated discussion instead, opting to shake hands only with Barrot.
In a symbolic gesture, Baerbock arrived dressed entirely in white, reminiscent of the suffragettes who championed women’s rights. This choice underscored her commitment to ensuring that women’s rights and protections are integral to the new Syrian order. She emphasized the need for international cooperation in prosecuting those responsible for past atrocities.
Earlier that day, Baerbock visited the infamous Zaya prison, known for its harrowing history under the Assad regime, where approximately 140,000 individuals have reportedly disappeared. She described the horrors witnessed there, emphasizing that justice must be a foundational aspect of reconciliation in Syria.
Baerbock expressed her gratitude to the Syrian White Helmets for their guidance during her visit to Sednaya prison. They have consistently condemned the Assad regime’s brutal practices and have called for a rejection of normalization with a government that has committed widespread human rights violations.
As Baerbock concluded her visit, she underscored the importance of Germany’s democratic values and the necessity of external support for Syrians striving for their rights. With the rebels poised to establish a new state following the ousting of the Assad regime, the path forward remains uncertain, yet critical for the future of Syria.