German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and her French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot arrived on January 3, 2025, for significant discussions with Syria's de facto ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa. Their visit marks the first engagement between European officials and the new leadership following the recent power shift after the ousting of long-standing president Bashar al-Assad.
Upon their arrival at the historic presidential palace in Damascus, the ministers encountered immediate tensions reflected through cultural norms, as Baerbock was met with the refusal of al-Sharaa to offer his hand for a handshake. Baerbock noted, "Even when I arrived, it was clear to me there would obviously be no ordinary handshakes here," indicating her awareness of the local customs prior to the meeting.
The refusal to shake hands has attracted scrutiny, particularly from political analysts like Volker Perthes, who emphasized the negative symbolism of such gestures. "This is not good, even if we know this from other countries where extremely conservative Islamic men are in power," he commented, illustrating concerns about diplomatic relations moving forward.
The visit is part of broader EU efforts to engage with the new Syrian leadership. With Baerbock and Barrot expressing their intentions to support Syria's transition to a more inclusive and democratic society, it becomes evident the handshake incident did not diminish the significance of their discussions focused on women's rights—an issue Baerbock stressed as indicative of how free society is.
During their visit, the ministers also addressed concerns about human rights violations stemming from Assad's regime. They toured the notorious Saidnaya prison, where the Assad government reportedly committed grievous human rights abuses, including torture. Baerbock was visibly shaken by the conditions described during the visit, stating, "The horrors of some places can't be imagined." They were shown facilities where prisoners endured horrifying treatments, underscoring the need for justice and reform.
This contrasting experience between the prison visit and the diplomatic meeting served to highlight the challenges facing the international community as they grapple with their relationships with the new Syrian leadership, particularly as al-Sharaa leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which many view as another Islamist group with troubling foundations.
Baerbock and Barrot's diplomatic mission emphasizes the European Union's strategic intent: the ministers articulated their expectations clearly, seeking to involve men and women from all ethnic and religious backgrounds within Syria's political processes. They expressed the need for inclusive governance as fundamental to moving forward, stressed Baerbock.
Their joint statement at the conclusion of their visit projected hope for future cooperation, asserting their commitment to stand with the Syrian people as they navigate this transition. Baerbock cautioned, "We will not become the financial backers of new Islamist structures," reinforcing the careful conditions under which aid and support would be provided to the new government.
The handshake refusal and subsequent discussions carry broader implications for potential dialogue between Europe and Syria going forward, as one of the key takeaways from the ministers is the significant need for al-Sharaa and his government to demonstrate actionable steps toward human rights improvements and inclusive governance.
While Baerbock and Barrot's efforts marked the first of potentially more dialogues with the new ruling entity, observers remain cautious, aware of the long road toward genuine democratic processes and transparency within the Syrian political sphere.
Despite the tense welcome, the EU ministers conveyed clear conditions for future support of Syria, focusing on women's rights as one of the cornerstones of political legitimacy. The world watches closely as the new leadership navigates balancing its ideological past with the expectations set forth by international partners eager for change.