German and French foreign ministers visited Syria, meeting with its new leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa to discuss establishing a new relationship and advocating for a peaceful power transition. They emphasized the importance of respect for minority rights and proposed technical support for drafting a new constitution. Their visit indicates a cautiously optimistic stance towards Syria’s democratic transition.
On Friday, the foreign ministers of Germany and France, Annalena Baerbock and Jean-Noel Barrot, respectively, conducted a pivotal visit to Syria, meeting with the de facto leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Damascus. This visit marks the inaugural official engagement by European Union ministers following the ousting of President Bashar Al-Assad in December. Both ministers expressed intentions to foster a new relationship with Syria and advocated for a peaceful power transition in the nation.
Baerbock and Barrot’s visit was not only a diplomatic gesture representing the European Union but also aimed to convey optimism to the Islamist rebels of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Emphasizing the necessity for respect towards minorities and moderation, they underscored their commitment to supporting Syria’s new leadership. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, articulated this sentiment by stating, “Our message to Syria’s new leadership: respecting the principles agreed with regional actors and ensuring the protection of all civilians and minorities is of the utmost importance.”
During their time in Syria, the ministers visited Sednaya prison, notorious for the inhumane treatment of detainees under the former regime. Barrot poignantly referred to the prison as a “concentration camp style of hell,” highlighting its grim reality. Both ministers expressed their profound emotional response to the horrors endured there. Barrot added, “Syria cannot rise above if justice is not served,” proposing France’s technical assistance to aid the transitional authorities in their quest for justice.
Baerbock called on the international community to assist in achieving justice for victims of past injustices, recognizing the necessity of transitional justice in rebuilding Syria’s reputation. Furthermore, Barrot proposed that the new government should invite the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to aid in assessing and removing chemical weapons from Syria. Both ministers also conveyed their intent to provide technical guidance to assist in drafting a new constitution, reiterating that hopes for Syria’s democratic transition remain “fragile but real.”
The visit by the German and French foreign ministers occurs against the backdrop of a significant political shift in Syria following the overthrow of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. The ministers aim to establish a constructive dialogue with the new authorities in Syria, signaling a willingness to collaborate in rebuilding the nation while ensuring the protection of human rights. Their visitation of critical sites like Sednaya prison reflects an acknowledgment of past atrocities, stressing the importance of addressing these issues as part of the path forward for Syria’s governance and international relations.
In conclusion, the visit of the German and French foreign ministers to Syria embodies a crucial step towards establishing a new diplomatic relationship following the Assad regime’s end. By advocating for peace, justice, and respect for minority rights, the ministers highlight the EU’s readiness to engage with Syria’s new leadership. Their proposals for technical assistance in drafting a new constitution and addressing past human rights violations reflect a commitment to supporting a democratic transition, essential for restoring Syria’s standing in the international community.
Original Source: www.dailynewsegypt.com
