Germany reopens its embassy in Damascus … and its foreign minister meets Sharia

For the second time since the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al -Assad about three months ago, German Foreign Minister Anlamina Perbuk is visiting Syria today, and talks are taking place with the transitional government and civil society representatives. The details of the visit program were not revealed at the beginning for security reasons.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) stated that “the President of the Republic, Ahmed Al -Shara and Foreign Minister Asaad Al -Shaibani, received a delegation from the Federal Republic of Germany, headed by Foreign Minister Analina Perbuk and the European Parliament Speaker Armen Lashit at the People’s Palace in Damascus.”

The German Foreign Minister arrived in Damascus this morning, and opened the German embassy in Damascus after a 13 -year closure.

German Foreign Minister called on the Syrian interim government to control the “extremist elements” in its ranks, after violence in the west of the country, which killed more than 1500 civilians from the Alawite minority, according to the French Press Agency.

Perbook said in Damascus after the reopening of the German embassy there that it had informed the new Syrian administration that “the task is now upon them to turn the sayings into actions, as well as the task of controlling extremist groups within their ranks and holding accountable those responsible for crimes,” adding that “any new attempt to escalate should be taken.”

The German envoy to Syria, Stefan Shinik, announced in a post on his page on the “X” platform, that German Foreign Minister Analana Perbuk has officially reopened the German embassy in Syria, adding: “We are happy to work closely with all Syrians for a better Syria.” He pointed out that the embassy team is still small; So visa and consulates affairs will remain managed from Beirut for the coming period.

The European Union countries closed their embassies in Damascus in the beginning of 2012 after the escalation of protests in Syria.

The German minister visited the Jobar Al -Dimashqi neighborhood, according to the German News Agency, which is among the neighborhoods that were subjected to great destruction during the years of the previous war in Syria.

The outgoing minister said: “A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, and between Germany and Syria is possible … but this is also related to clear expectations that freedom, security and opportunities in Syria apply to all people, women and men, and followers of all ethnic groups and religions.”