French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock arrived in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Friday morning to meet with the head of the new administration, Ahmed Shar', also known as "Abu Muhammad al-Jolani," in their first visit following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Upon her arrival in Damascus, the German Foreign Ministry released a statement from Minister Baerbock, emphasizing that the visit with her French counterpart "on behalf of the European Union, is a clear signal that a new political beginning between Europe and Syria, and between Germany and Syria, is possible.
The statement read: "Decades of repression and atrocities committed by the Assad regime and the horrific civil war it waged have inflicted immense wounds on millions of people in Syria. The entire country has been scarred by this, and at the same time, it now draws legitimate hope that the future will be better.
It continued: "The painful chapter of the Assad regime has ended. A new chapter has begun, but it has not yet been written. At this moment, Syrians have the opportunity to take the fate of their state into their own hands once again.
Baerbock stressed that Germany wants to support Syrians "in a comprehensive and peaceful transition of power, in reconciliation among members of society, and in the recovery process, in addition to the humanitarian aid we have continued to provide throughout these years.
The statement added: "We all recognize that this will be a rough road. Today's visit with my French counterpart on behalf of the European Union is a clear signal: a new political beginning between Europe and Syria, and between Germany and Syria, is possible... With our support, but also clear expectations for the new rulers, we travel to Damascus.
She emphasized that "a new beginning can only happen if all Syrians, men and women, regardless of their ethnic or religious group, are given a place in the political process.
For his part, the French Foreign Minister expressed hope from Damascus that Syria would be "sovereign, stable, and peaceful.
Barrot said from the French embassy in Damascus, according to AFP: "Less than a month ago, new hope emerged thanks to the mobilization of Syrian men and women. Hope for a sovereign, stable, and peaceful Syria," adding that it is "a real hope, but a fragile one.
Barrot began his visit by meeting with spiritual leaders of Christian denominations, who are concerned about the arrival of an Islamist-oriented movement to power, despite reassurances from the interim government regarding minorities.
The ministers are scheduled to visit the Saydnaya prison near the capital, which symbolized the repression of authorities during Bashar al-Assad's rule, before meeting with Shar', according to AFP.
The ministers are also expected to meet with representatives of civil society, which faced severe repression during Assad's rule.