In a historic visit, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock traveled to Syria to meet with the country’s transitional leaders, signaling a new phase in relations between Syria and the European Union. This marks the first such visit by EU officials since the regime of Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December.
The ministers met with Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, in the capital Damascus. Sharaa’s group, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led the rebellion that brought an end to Assad’s authoritarian rule. In recent years, HTS has distanced itself from its past ties to al-Qaeda, attempting to rebrand itself as a political entity capable of governing post-war Syria.
Baerbock, speaking before the meeting, emphasized the importance of supporting Syria’s transition while remaining mindful of HTS’s controversial history. “I have come to Syria with an outstretched hand,” she said, according to Reuters, adding that the EU remains cautious about the group’s past affiliations.
The ministers called for an inclusive political process to ensure representation for all of Syria’s communities. “It’s time for Syrians to reclaim their country,” Barrot said. “A political transition must allow Syria’s diverse population to have a voice, granting citizenship and political participation without discrimination based on religion or gender.” He also pledged France’s and the EU’s technical and judicial expertise to assist in drafting a new Syrian constitution.
Baerbock echoed these sentiments on social media, stating that a stable and inclusive Syria requires political representation for citizens of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. She emphasized that the EU’s support would be contingent on the protection of human rights and gender equality. “Women’s rights are the yardstick of progress for any free society,” Baerbock said, adding that Europe would not support the rise of Islamist political structures.
A new chapter for Syria
After the meeting with Sharaa, Baerbock remarked on the resilience of Syria’s people after years of war. “The Syrian people have turned a new page in their history after enduring oppression, torture, and conflict,” she said. She also described her visit with Barrot as a “strong signal that a political new beginning is possible now,” while reaffirming the EU’s commitment to supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria.
Barrot and Baerbock also visited Sednaya prison, a site infamous for its history of torture, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial killings during Assad’s rule. The prison, described as a symbol of the regime’s brutality, left a profound impression on the visiting ministers.
“We were emotionally struck by the barbarism we uncovered,” Barrot said, likening the conditions in the prison to a “concentration camp-style hell.” He stressed that justice must be a cornerstone of Syria’s recovery, offering France’s expertise to help pursue transitional justice and accountability for past atrocities.
Baerbock urged the international community to ensure justice for victims of the horrors at Sednaya and similar sites. “The world must help bring justice to those who suffered in this prison of hell,” she said, reiterating the EU’s commitment to combating impunity and supporting victims of the conflict.
Calls for chemical weapons accountability
In addition to addressing transitional justice, Barrot recommended that Syria’s new leadership invite the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to assess and oversee the elimination of chemical weapons from the country. This would mark a significant step toward addressing the Assad regime’s legacy of alleged chemical attacks, which drew widespread international condemnation during the war.
The ministers’ visit underscores the EU’s cautious optimism about Syria’s fragile transition. While the fall of Assad has opened a path for rebuilding, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges, including ensuring justice for past atrocities, fostering inclusivity, and preventing the resurgence of extremist elements.
For now, the EU appears committed to supporting the transitional government in its efforts to establish a more equitable, democratic Syria, while remaining vigilant about the complexities of navigating a post-conflict environment.