German Foreign Minister Visits New Rulers in Syria

Just weeks after the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart, Jean-Noël Barrot, traveled to Damascus on January 3. They met with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (hts), the new rulers of Syria, and discussed a conditional new political cooperation.

Beating the competition: Baerbock and Barrot are the first foreign ministers from the European Union to visit Syria since the fall of Assad.

My trip today—together with my French counterpart and on behalf of the EU—is a clear signal to the Syrians: A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible. We are traveling to Damascus today with this outstretched hand, but also with clear expectations of the new rulers. There can only be a new beginning if the new Syrian society gives all Syrians, women and men, regardless of ethnic or religious group, a place in the political process, grants rights, and offers protection.
—Annalena Baerbock

Help in reconstruction:

We want to support them in this: in an inclusive, peaceful transition of power, in the reconciliation of society, in reconstruction, in addition to the humanitarian aid that we have been providing to the people of Syria all these years without interruption. We all realize that this will be a rocky road.
—Annalena Baerbock

Seizing the opportunity:

We will continue to measure the hts by its actions. Despite all our skepticism, we must not miss the opportunity to support the people of Syria at this important crossroads.
—Annalena Baerbock

Prophesied turn of events: The Trumpet has long expected this turn of events. To learn why, read “Syria’s Fall: Another Key Prophecy Fulfilled.”