BERLIN – Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, began his first official visit to Berlin on Monday, where he was received by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Bellevue Presidential Palace.
According to DW, Al-Sharaa is holding meetings with German officials during this landmark visit to discuss the conflict with Iran, national reconstruction, and Berlin’s efforts regarding the repatriation of Syrian refugees.
وصل السيد الرئيس أحمد الشرع، على رأس وفد حكومي ضمّ وزير الخارجية والمغتربين أسعد الشيباني ووزير الاقتصاد نضال الشعار ووزير الطاقة محمد البشير، إلى قصر بيلفيو في العاصمة الألمانية برلين في زيارة رسمية، حيث كان في استقباله رئيس جمهورية ألمانيا الاتحادية فرانك فالتر شتاينماير. pic.twitter.com/7SBmyeBUBk
— رئاسة الجمهورية العربية السورية (@SyPresidency) March 30, 2026
During a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin on Monday, Al-Sharaa stated that work is underway to re-establish the partnership between Syria and Germany within an official framework, according to Syrian state media. He expressed his desire to “cooperate with friends in Germany to establish a circular migration model that allows Syrian talent to contribute to the reconstruction of their country.”
Al-Sharaa emphasized that “no weapons shall exist outside the state framework, with power restricted to the state to ensure the security of all Syrians without exception.” He further stressed that “combating terrorism and uprooting Captagon smuggling networks represent a top priority that we are actively working on.”
Describing Syria as a land of diverse cultures and norms, Al-Sharaa noted that “the government is working to establish the rule of law over everyone.” He added that the country needs “a partner who knows how to build bridges of light over seas of darkness,” identifying Germany as that partner.
Regarding a session held today with major German corporations, Al-Sharaa confirmed it was “fruitful and very positive,” noting that the entry of German companies into the Syrian market would accelerate production and reduce unemployment. During the meeting, Al-Sharaa also expressed the Syrian government’s solidarity with the Arab Gulf states and its condemnation of Iranian aggressions against them.
He further detailed discussions on increasing investment and utilizing Syrians residing in Germany to work with German firms. Noting that Syria’s infrastructure is currently collapsed, he confirmed that efforts are being coordinated with Germany to boost investments. Al-Sharaa asserted that Syria serves as a safe corridor for supply chains and energy, stating, “there is no need for war to realize this,” and mentioned ongoing discussions with regional countries to secure safe havens for energy and supply lines.
For his part, Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Syrian refugees who have obtained asylum in Germany play an important role in rebuilding their country, and that Berlin will assist those who wish to return. “We are working together to ensure that Syrians residing in Germany can return to their homeland,” Merz said during the press conference.
According to German media, Germany hosts the largest number of Syrians among EU nations. In April 2025, the German Interior Ministry reported that approximately one million Syrians were residing in Germany by the end of March that year. The government also noted that Germany has provided refuge to about one million Syrians fleeing the war—the highest figure in the European Union.
The German magazine Stern suggested that the German government likely aims to achieve two goals during the meeting with Al-Sharaa: “facilitating deportations to the country and focusing on national stability.”
Protests and Criticism
A protest against the plan to return refugees to Syria took place in Berlin on Monday under the slogan “No to deportation agreements with human rights violators.”
In a related context, the Confederation of Communities of Kurdistan (KON-MED) criticized Al-Sharaa’s visit to Berlin, viewing it as a disregard for human rights violations, and called for a protest in front of the German Chancellery. The Confederation stated that the visit sends a message of indifference toward violations affecting Alawites, Druze, Kurds, Christians, and all components of Syrian society, asserting that attacks by Al-Sharaa’s government and affiliated factions against civilians and minorities are documented in international reports.
The union warned that granting Al-Sharaa political legitimacy under these circumstances would bolster a culture of impunity. It also highlighted that the continued ambiguity surrounding the fate of journalists Eva-Maria Michelman and Ahmed Polat—missing in Raqqa since January 2026—has intensified objections to the visit. KON-MED called on the German government to take immediate action, demanding an end to political support for Al-Sharaa, a clear condemnation of attacks on Rojava, and the inclusion of the recognition of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of Rojava on its agenda.
Meanwhile, the newspaper Bild published an article titled “Former Jihadist Staying in a Five-Star Hotel in Berlin,” noting that the former leader of Jabhat al-Nusra (whose real name is Abu Mohammed al-Julani) faces sharp criticism in his new role. The report alleges that the former militant has shown no serious willingness to uphold his promise to protect minorities, which initially impacted Kurds and the Druze in particular.
Over the weekend, the city of Suqaylabiyah in western Syria witnessed a large-scale wave of violence against Christians. On Saturday night, Islamist gunmen reportedly attacked Christian shops in the city, engaging in looting, threats, and harassment of women. Security forces ignored these events, which observers described as a massacre.
Source: Agencies
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