Syria's President Ahmad Al Shara met Thursday with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and European Parliament Vice President Armin Laschet in the Syrian capital, Damascus.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a German-European delegation's visit to mark the reopening of the German embassy in Damascus.
During a press conference in Damascus, the German Foreign Minister affirmed that the official opening of the German embassy today signifies a long-term commitment to Syria, and that its staff will gradually expand.
She noted that Germany supports the political process in Syria to achieve peace for all its citizens.
Baerbock said that her country will support Syria politically and economically and stand by the Syrian people, noting that the first steps towards unifying the country have been taken, and that the next steps should be achieved in partnership with all components of society.
She said that her country pledged EURO 300 million during the Brussels conference as part of its efforts to achieve economic stability in Syria, and that the Syrian people need support and reconstruction.
She noted that the political process in the country must include all components, sects, and ethnicity before refugees can return, and that Syria must belong to all Syrians.
Regarding Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, Baerbock stressed the need for Israel to respect international law, noting that attacks on Syria and its territories threaten stability and contravene international law.
She stated that gradually reducing European sanctions could help the Syrian economy, stressing that it is essential for the European Union (EU) to take gradual steps to ease sanctions in order to begin the reconstruction process. (
