German, French overseas ministers meet Syria’s new rulers in Damascus | Information At this time Information

Their journey is supposed to ship a message of cautious optimism to the Islamist rebels led by Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), displaying an openness to acknowledging the brand new rulers whereas additionally urging moderation and respect for minorities’ rights.

“Our message to Syria’s new management: respecting the rules agreed with regional actors and guaranteeing the safety of all civilians and minorities is of the utmost significance,” wrote Kaja Kallas, the EU’s overseas coverage chief, on social media platform X concerning the journey.

The French and German ministers met Sharaa within the Damascus Individuals’s Palace, however up to now no particulars of their talks have been made public.

Since ousting Assad, Syria’s new rulers have sought to reassure Arab nations and the worldwide neighborhood that they’ll govern on behalf of all Syrians and never export Islamist revolution.

Western governments have begun to steadily open channels with Sharaa and HTS, a Sunni Muslim group beforehand affiliated with Al Qaeda and Islamic State, and are beginning to debate whether or not to take away the group’s terrorist designation.

A bunch of questions stay about the way forward for a multi-ethnic nation the place overseas states together with Turkey and Russia have robust and probably competing pursuits.

Outstretched hand

Baerbock mentioned she was travelling to Syria with an “outstretched hand” in addition to “clear expectations” of the brand new rulers, who she mentioned could be judged by their actions. “We all know the place the HTS comes from ideologically, what it has achieved prior to now,” mentioned Baerbock in an announcement forward of the journey, including {that a} new starting to relations might solely occur if there isn’t any place for extremism and radical teams.

“However we additionally hear and see the will for moderation and for understanding with different vital actors,” she added, citing talks with US-allied Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces.

The purpose now’s for Syria to as soon as once more develop into a revered member of the worldwide neighborhood, she mentioned, which additionally lies in Europe’s safety pursuits.

Barrot equally expressed his hope for a “sovereign and secure” Syria that would go away no room for terrorism, chemical weapons or malign overseas actors, throughout a gathering with representatives from Syrian civil society organisations.

Germany and France plan to supply their technical assist and recommendation to Syria because the nation drafts a brand new structure, Barrot instructed journalists, saying that hope for the nation’s democratic transition was “fragile however actual”.

He referred to as for a political answer for Kurdish fighters in Syria to be built-in into the Syrian state, including {that a} everlasting ceasefire have to be achieved, however he didn’t reply when requested when the EU might elevate sanctions on Syria. Barrot additionally visited the French embassy, which has been closed since 2012, the place he mentioned France would work in direction of re-establishing diplomatic illustration in keeping with political and safety circumstances, diplomatic sources mentioned.

As a part of their go to, the ministers took a tour of Syria’s most infamous jail, the huge Sednaya advanced.

“Now it’s as much as the worldwide neighborhood to assist to convey justice to the individuals who have suffered right here on this jail of hell,” Baerbock mentioned.