DAMASCUS: Syria’s presidency announced on Saturday that President Ahmed al-Sharaa will head to Germany and Britain next week, his first visit to the two countries since assuming power.
The official SANA news agency said Sharaa would “pay an official visit to both the Federal Republic of Germany and the United Kingdom on Monday and Tuesday” and he will meet “senior officials in both countries to discuss ways to develop bilateral relations”.
A German government spokesman said on Friday that Sharaa will visit the country for talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Berlin said the talks would address economic stability in Syria, reconstruction, energy, strengthening bilateral economic relations, as well as Syria’s reintegration into the international financial system and the issue of the return of Syrians residing in Germany.
The visit comes in the context of a gradual opening between Damascus and European capitals since the ouster of longtime Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
