Germany weighs new ties with Syria after Assad's fall—with conditions
A planned meeting between Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa could signal a new chapter in German-Syrian relations. Adis Ahmetovic, the SPD's foreign policy spokesperson, sees the visit as an opportunity to rebuild trust over a year after the Assad regime's collapse. He has outlined key priorities for Germany's engagement, including stability, minority rights, and reconstruction efforts. Ahmetovic insists the meeting must focus on a credible political process that involves all social groups, particularly minorities like the Druze, Alawites, and Kurds. He warns that past violence against these communities must never happen again. The spokesperson also stresses that Germany's support for Syria's reconstruction is directly tied to the safe return of refugees.
Germany has already taken steps to encourage repatriation. Since 2016, programmes like Return Assistance (Rückkehrhilfe) have offered up to €2,000 per person, plus travel costs, to Syrian refugees choosing to go back. By 2023, over 20,000 had returned under these schemes. The fall of the Assad regime in late 2024 has further improved stability, making repatriation safer.
Ahmetovic argues that refugees cannot return to a country in ruins with no prospects. He calls for rapid reconstruction, with Germany playing a leading role in funding and support. At the same time, he urges Chancellor Merz to make clear that further German involvement depends on Syria upholding the rule of law, protecting minorities, and maintaining a neutral foreign policy in regional conflicts. The meeting between Merz and al-Sharaa could set the tone for future cooperation. Germany's financial backing for refugee returns and reconstruction will likely hinge on Syria's commitment to political reforms and minority protections. Ahmetovic's remarks highlight the need for concrete progress before deeper engagement begins.
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