Syria's Ahmad al-Sharaa Visits Germany And UK Next Week to Reopen Ties, Seek Reconstruction Funds
Key Takeaways
- Ahmad al-Sharaa will visit Germany and the United Kingdom next Monday and Tuesday.
- This is his first official visit to Germany and the United Kingdom since taking office.
- He will meet senior officials to discuss developing bilateral relations.
First Western presidential visits signal normalization
The Syrian presidency announced on Saturday that President Ahmed al-Sharaa will visit Germany and the United Kingdom next week, in a trip that will be the first for either country since he took office.
“The Syrian presidency announced on Saturday that President Ahmed al-Sharaa will visit Germany and the United Kingdom next week, in a trip that will be the first for either country since he took office”
Germany had reopened its embassy in Damascus in March 2025 after a 13-year closure.
Germany is home to around a million Syrians—many of whom arrived during the huge influx of refugees that peaked in 2015.
The visit is being framed as a step toward reintegrating Syria into European political and financial frameworks, with Berlin highlighting aims to discuss economic stability, reconstruction, and bilateral ties, and to address Syrians residing in Germany returning.
Agenda: economics, reconstruction, and governance
Germany’s talks will cover economic stability in Syria, reconstruction, energy, and strengthening bilateral economic ties, as well as Syria’s reintegration into the international financial system and the issue of Syrians residing in Germany returning.
The British side frames its engagement as supporting the political transition, aiding economic recovery, countering the Islamic State, curbing irregular migration, and addressing the issue of chemical weapons.
Normalization with Europe deepens
The visit comes in the context of a gradual opening between Damascus and European capitals since the ouster of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar Assad in December 2024.
“Damascus, March 28 (SANA) – President Ahmad al-Sharaa will pay an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom next Monday and Tuesday”
Germany reopened its embassy in Damascus in March 2025, signaling a real-world normalization.
Risks and implementation questions
Germany is home to around a million Syrians—many of whom arrived during the huge influx of refugees that peaked in 2015 under former chancellor Angela Merkel.
Some voices in Germany have started urging them to go back home.
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