Germany’s foreign minister reopens its embassy in Damascus, 13 years after it was shut in the early days of Syria’s civil war, saying that Europe needs “eyes and ears” on the grounds as it follows the Syrian political transition.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock reopens the embassy before meeting interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and others during a visit to Damascus, her second since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in December.
Among the European Union’s 27 members, Italy reopened its embassy last year before the fall of Assad, and Spain reopened its embassy after his ouster.
“With this embassy opening, we are saying very clearly that Germany is back in Damascus, Germany has a paramount interest in a stable Syria,” Baerbock told reporters.
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