German, French foreign ministers step into Syria clad in bulletproof vests

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot made an unannounced visit to Damascus on Friday, marking the first trip by European Union foreign ministers to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime. Arriving in bulletproof vests, the ministers held discussions with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), signalling a cautious EU engagement with Syria’s new rulers.

A video shows members of the Syrian welcome committee declining to shake hands with Annalena Baerbock upon her arrival at Damascus Airport. The footage also captures Baerbock deplaning while donning a bulletproof vest shortly after landing in the Syrian capital.

The visit comes in the wake of significant political upheaval in Syria, where rebel forces led by HTS ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December, ending his family's decades-long rule.

The European leaders arrived with what Baerbock described as an "outstretched hand" but also "clear expectations", emphasising that their cooperation with the new authorities would depend on respect for human rights, moderation, and protection for Syria's diverse ethnic and religious communities.

The meeting with al-Sharaa, held at the Damascus People's Palace, has not yet yielded public details. However, the trip signifies a shift in European policy, as Western governments begin to explore potential pathways for Syria’s reintegration into the international community.

Baerbock underscored that Germany’s engagement with HTS would hinge on the group’s actions moving forward. "We know where HTS comes from ideologically and what it has done in the past," Reuters quoted Baerbock as saying. She added that the EU was closely watching for signs of moderation and inclusivity in governance.

Barrot echoed similar sentiments, calling for a "sovereign and stable Syria" and urging a political solution that integrates Kurdish fighters into the national framework.

The foreign ministers also visited Sednaya Prison, infamous for being a site of extrajudicial killings and torture during Assad's regime. Calling it a "prison of hell," Baerbock emphasised the importance of international efforts to bring justice to those who suffered under the previous government.

As part of the visit, the French delegation reopened the French embassy in Damascus, which had been closed since 2012. Barrot described the move as a step toward re-establishing diplomatic relations, provided the political and security conditions align.

Syria’s new leaders have pledged to address international concerns. Ahmed al-Sharaa recently revealed that holding elections in Syria could take up to four years, adding that drafting a Constitution would take nearly three years. However, changes in school curriculums and governance statements have sparked mixed reactions internationally.

(with inputs from agencies)