Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin for high-level talks focused on Syria’s reconstruction and the future of Syrian refugees in Europe.
The visit marks one of al-Sharaa’s key diplomatic engagements since taking power following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Discussions centered on rebuilding Syria after more than a decade of war, as well as economic cooperation between the two countries.
Germany, which hosts more than 900,000 Syrians, has increasingly signaled interest in encouraging returns as Syria stabilizes. Chancellor Merz suggested that many Syrians could return in the coming years to support reconstruction efforts, though al-Sharaa did not commit to specific figures.
The Syrian leader instead proposed a “circular migration” model, allowing skilled Syrians to contribute to rebuilding their country while maintaining ties to Germany. The talks also included an economic forum aimed at attracting investment and supporting Syria’s recovery after years of conflict that displaced millions and devastated infrastructure.
