12/18/2024December 18, 2024
German diplomats hold talks with HTS representatives while EU steps up direct engagement
German diplomats have held talks in Damascus with Syria’s new transitional government, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
is the latest country seeking to re-establish ties with Syria following the fall of the Bashar Assad regime.
“The talks focused on the political transition process and our expectations regarding the protection of minorities and women’s rights in order to support peaceful development in Syria,” the German Foreign Office said in Berlin.
As well as Tuesday’s talks, the delegation also carried out an “initial inspection of the German Embassy building in Damascus,” according to the foreign ministry statement.
On X, the ministry said: “Assad has repeatedly used chemical weapons against his own people in Syria. Now there is a chance for full investigation and destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. We are providing the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons with further funds and are also addressing this today at talks in Damascus.”
The delegation was led by Middle East envoy Tobias Tunkel and also included a representative of the German Development Ministry.
The meetings with Germany’s delegation came after UK diplomats held talks on Monday with HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Mohammed al-Golani.
Meanwhile, announced on Tuesday that it would reopen its representation in Damascus, after making contact with the new Syrian leadership.
“Now we have to step up and continue our direct engagement with HTS and other factions,” European Commission President said at talks in Ankara with Turkish President .
Iran, however, is keeping its Damascus embassy closed for the time being, pointing to “political and security-related preparations,” an Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said, according to comments reported on by the ISNA news agency.
jsi/rm (AP, Reuters, AFP, dpa)
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