Germany, France Reiterate Protecting Kurds' Interests in Syria

Agencies

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot along side Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani

Top diplomats from Germany and France, including German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot were in Syria on Friday, 3 January 2025, where they met with Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and representatives of civil society.

According to a joint statement, both German and French ministers reaffirmed the desire for a peaceful, rigorous transition that represents Syria’s diverse society. 

The two ministers reiterated the necessary safeguarding of collective security interests, which involves continuing the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS or Daesh), but also preventing the spread of the regime’s chemical weapons. 

"They reiterated the need to end fighting in northern Syria and find a solution that protects everyone’s security interests, especially those of our Kurdish partners of the Syrian Democratic Forces, alongside whom we are fighting Daesh. The de facto authorities have pledged to fight terrorism, host an OPCW mission soon and work to protect the Syrian-Lebanese border," the statement wrote.

The statement added that the de-facto authorities have committed themselves to broad participation in the transition, and in particular have said women will be part of the preparatory committee for a National Dialogue Conference that will be initiated in the coming days. 

Both France and Germany have offered their expertise to support the constitutional work that emerges from the national conference, as per the statement.

Furthermore, France and Germany have pledged to provide their technical expertise in criminology to promote the fight against impunity for crimes committed by the Assad regime.



PUKMEDIA