High-Level EU Diplomatic Mission Marks Historic Visit to Damascus

In a landmark diplomatic move, German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot have become the first top European officials to meet with Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, reports Orda.kz.

The visit was on behalf of the European Union. 

Before departing Berlin, the German Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing the EU's willingness to support Syria through its political transition and peaceful power transfer.

Germany and its international partners are also committed to ensuring that the internal Syrian process is not disrupted from outside. To this end, we worked out important principles in Aqaba together with the UN . This includes respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity by all neighboring states. It is also time for Russia to leave its military bases in Syria. The Syrian people will not forget the massive bombings and human rights violations. It was Putin who supported Assad for so long, who covered up and supported the regime's crimes.
 Baerbock stated.

According to Step News, the French Foreign Minister announced that Paris is ready to provide technical and legal support to Syria's new administration in drafting its constitution. 

He emphasized the importance of inclusive dialogue among all ethnic and political groups in the country.

During their visit, both ministers toured Sednaya prison, a facility notorious for torture under the previous Assad regime.

Al-Sharaa, who now heads the Syrian government, leads the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, which spearheaded the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.

While the group is banned in Russia, it is not listed as a terrorist organization in Kazakhstan.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko