Germany Reopens Its Embassy in Syria After 13-Year Closure

After being closed for 13 years, Germany has officially reopened its embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus.

The embassy was reopened by the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, after being closed since 2012, following the start of the Syrian civil war, Schengen.News reports. 

Baerbock reopened the embassy before meeting interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, during her visit to Damascus, according to an AP report.

At present, the embassy will operate with a small team, and offer no consular or visa services, according to the German Minister.

She said that Germany wants the political process in Syria to move forward and to support this process as well as possible. 

EU To Reopen Delegation in Syria 
In December last year, the EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, said that the EU wants to reopen a delegation in Syria, which will lead to the opening of EU embassies in Damascus and tightened connections with the Middle Eastern country.

Following the end of long-time Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s rule, European countries and international organisations have expressed interest in expanding their influence in Syria. 

Up to this point, several countries worldwide have reopened their embassies in Syria. As for the EU, Hungary was among the first ones this year to take such a decision. 

In January this year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, Péter Szijjártó, announced the reopening of its embassy in Damascus. 

A similar decision was taken by Spain as well. In January, Madrid reopened its embassy in Syria. 

The Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares described it as an honour to visit Damascus while participating in the reopening of the embassy.

Italy, on the other hand, reopened its embassy in Damascus in September 2024.

Source: https://schengen.news/germany-reopens-its-embassy-in-syria-after-13-year-closure/