German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met with interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Thursday (October 30) to discuss refugee returns, aid and reconstruction, and future cooperation between Berlin and the new Syrian government, marking a new phase in German-Syrian relations.

Germany, which hosts nearly one million Syrians who fled the war, now views its diaspora as an important partner in rebuilding the country.

"Many have not only found protection here, but also a new home," the minister said. "Some are also considering returning to Syria to rebuild their country. I would like to deepen this special relationship between our countries together with our partners in Syria."

Syrians in Germany the 'human bridge' between the two countries

Germany has vowed to strengthen political, economic, and humanitarian relations, with billions of pounds in aid and private-sector investment pumping into the country over the past year.

Syria's interim President al-Sharaa, who led the coalition that toppled Assad, welcomed Wadephul and his delegation. According to a statement from the Syrian presidency, both sides explored "ways to enhance cooperation in the political, economic, and humanitarian fields."

Though the new Syrian government has promised an inclusive country, sporadic clashes between factions and ethnic groups continue to threaten stability.

Wadephul has described the Syrian community in Germany as a "human bridge" between the two nations.

"Europe bears a special responsibility," he said. "Germany should take the lead."

Germany raises return of refugees during visit

A central theme of Wadephul’s talks was the possible return of Syrian refugees from Germany. The foreign minister acknowledged that the lack of functioning infrastructure and ongoing instability made large-scale repatriation from Germany to Syria difficult.

"It is in the understandable interest of the Syrian government to create the conditions for as many Syrians as possible to return," he said, "but this is currently only possible to a very limited extent, because a great deal of infrastructure in this country has been destroyed."

He added that Berlin would "work in a very practical manner to ensure that German companies can operate here."

Though Germany has tightened migration policies in response to domestic political and public pressures, Wadephul clarified that deportations would apply only in "very few exceptional cases of truly serious criminals." 

'Barely possible for people to live here with dignity'

The foreign minister also visited the city of Harasta, northeast of the capital Damascus, describing its destruction as "reminiscent of the images we saw from Germany in 1945 after World War II." The area had a pre-war population of 30,000, and was almost completely destroyed during years of bombardment.

"It is barely possible for people to live here with dignity," Wadephul said, calling for rapid reconstruction and urging Europe to take the lead in supporting Syria’s recovery.

He added that Germany would provide an additional 52.6 million euros in humanitarian assistance to Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, 39.4 million euros of which is earmarked for Syria. The funds will go toward food security, health services, civil protection, and accommodation projects run by international and local NGOs.

Wadephul said rebuilding Syria must be inclusive. "This is the prerequisite for laying the foundations for a free, secure and stable Syria," he said, urging the government to "include all citizens in the country’s rehabilitation, regardless of gender, religious, ethnic or social affiliation," he said. "With the overthrow of the Assad dictatorship, the people of Syria have entered a new era."

Reconstruction

The World Bank has estimated that reconstruction of Syria could cost up to 216 billion dollars (around 187 billion euros), reported the news agency Reuters on Friday (October 31).

Saudi Arabia is among those nations reported as being "poised" to invest billions in Syria to sure up its infrastructure and further ensure the stability of the region.

"We chose the path of reconstruction through investment," al Sharaa reportedly said. "We did not choose the path of rebuilding Syria through aid and assistance."

While in the region, Wadephul also visited the Gulf state Bahrain, Lebanon and Jordan.

With dpa, Reuters and AFP