Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, did not shake hands with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during their meeting in Damascus on Friday.
“Bild” writes that al-Sharaa did not reach out to Baerbock “just because she is a woman”
The Foreign Minister of France, Jean Noel Barrot, was also present at the meeting, with whom al-Sharaa shook hands.
They expressed their intention to establish new relations with Syria, in the first visit they made to this country, since the fall of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
Speaking after meeting with al-Sharaan and visiting the French Embassy in Damascus, which has been closed since 2012, Barrot expressed optimism for the creation of a sovereign, stable and peaceful Syria.
“A few weeks ago a new hope was born, the hope for a Syria that is sovereign, stable and peaceful. We owe this hope to the determination and mobilization of the Syrians, whom I would like to congratulate today. This hope is still fragile and this is the reason why France will stand by the Syrians, as it has done for the last 13 years”, said the French minister, Barrot.
The German Minister Baerbock said that her visit to Syria is aimed at cooperation with the new leadership, but also mentioned the past related to “Al-Qaeda” of the rebel group that overthrew Assad.
“My trip today is a clear signal to Syrians: A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible. But we also hear and see the desire for modernization and understanding with other important actors. The goal now is for Syria to once again become a respected member of the international community,” said Baerbock.
During their stay in Damascus, the two ministers also met representatives of the Syrian civil society and visited the most notorious prison in Syria, the large Sednaya complex.
Since Assad’s ouster, Islamist rebels led by Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group have tried to convince Arab countries and the international community that they will govern on behalf of all Syrians and not “export” it. Islamic revolution.
Germany and France plan to offer aid and technical advice to Syria as the country drafts a new constitution, Barrot has revealed.
https://www.koha.net/en/bote/lideri-sirian-nuk-ia-zgjat-doren-ministres-gjermane