World
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (left) and Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (right). Graphic: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday received a phone call from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who offered support for reconstruction of the war-torn country.
In “a one-hour phone call,” Scholz congratulated the Syrian people for “successfully ending the reign of terror of the Assad regime,” according to German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit.
The two men emphasized that what Syria now needs is “an inclusive political process that allows the participation of Syrians regardless of their ethnic or religious group, and ensures rights and protection,” Hebestreit said.
Scholz told Sharaa of Berlin’s “willingness to support the reconstruction of Syria, so that Syria can become a free and secure homeland for all population groups,” the spokesperson added, saying that Germany “will work closely with European and international partners.”
Sharaa thanked Scholz for the call and for Berlin’s “support of the Syrian people and in accepting Syrian refugees over the years,” according to a statement from the Syrian presidency.
They also discussed the “Syrian state’s roadmap for the transitional phase, national dialogue, and the formation of an inclusive government,” the statement added.
On the subject of international sanctions against Syria, Scholz said “the sanctions ought to be lifted immediately [to aid] the recovery of the Syrian people and support economic and humanitarian progress,” according to the Syrian statement.
The two also discussed “security challenges” and Scholz expressed support for Sharaa’s efforts in “managing the talks aimed at completely unifying the Syrian territories, especially north-eastern Syria,” the Syrian presidency stated.
The call by the German chancellor is the second by a European leader in the past few days after French President Emmanuel Macron phoned Sharaa on Thursday. The Syrian presidency quoted Macron as congratulating the interim president on assuming his position and invited him to visit France.
German diplomats held their first direct talks with representatives of the new Syrian administration in mid-December in a move that was seen as indicative of Berlin’s openness resuming diplomatic ties with Damascus.
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