Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara on Monday said he would work with Germany's government on a “circular migration” programme that enables Syrian refugees to work with German companies investing in his country.
Mr Al Shara met German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Friedrich Merz on his first official visit to Berlin following his rise to power in late 2024. Discussions centred on the war in the Middle East, the return of Syrians to their homeland and the country’s post-civil war reconstruction and political situation.
At a media conference with Mr Merz, Mr Al Shara said Syrians in Germany could be encouraged to return if they were given opportunities to contribute to reconstruction, but that those who wished to stay in Germany should be able to do so.
“It is impossible to discuss recovery and reconstruction without addressing the Syrians in Germany,” Mr Al Shara said. “We have 1.3 million Syrians here, including 6,000 doctors working in your hospitals.
“We are working with our friends in the German government to establish a circular migration model that allows Syrian talents to contribute to the reconstruction of their homeland without abandoning their stability and the lives they have built here [in Germany] for those who wish to stay."
Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara visits Germany - in pictures
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, left, welcomes Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara at the Chancellery in Berlin. Reuters -
Mr Merz looks to the translator as he speaks to Mr Al Shara on the terrace ahead of their bilateral talks at the Chancellery. Reuters -
Supporters of Mr Al Shara wave Syrian flags as they gather in the German capital. Reuters -
Police stand guard outside Bellevue Palace during Mr Al Shara's visit. Getty Images -
Mr Al Shara gives an opening statement as he sits next to German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, at a German-Syrian economic roundtable at the Foreign Ministry in Berlin. Getty Images -
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Mr Al Shara meet at Bellevue Palace. Reuters -
Mr Steinmeier stands alongside Mr Al Shara outside the palace. EPA
At an earlier roundtable meeting with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul to discuss the Syrian economy, Mr Al Shara urged German companies willing to invest in his homeland to hire Syrian refugees as a way of encouraging their return.
“It is possible that the conversation around the return of refugees could be turned into a benefit for German companies that want to invest in Syria, by taking advantage of these professionals who graduated from German universities and acquired a great deal of expertise from German companies,” he said.
The German government is under pressure from far-right groups to reduce the number of immigrants in the country and return millions of Syrian refugees granted asylum in 2015. Mr Merz said it was clear many Syrians who sought refuge in Germany “want to go back to their homeland, they want to rebuild their homeland, they certainly want to live freely and with dignity”.
“Returning to Syria from their years around the world, they will play and important role in Syria after the years of destruction of companies, schools, nurseries and hospitals,” he added. “It will be an enormous effort.”
The meeting with Mr Steinmeier focused on “strengthening ties” with Germany, “in a manner that serves the shared interests of the Syrian and German peoples", Syrian state news agency Sana reported.
Mr Al Shara was joined by Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani, Economy Minister Nidal Al Shaar and Energy Minister Mohammad Al Bashir.
Open for business
Mr Merz also praised Syria's “attractive investment environment”. Earlier, during the discussions with Mr Wadephul, Mr Al Shara told German politicians that Syria developed laws to enable and encourage investment in the country.
He acknowledged that Europe faced an energy crisis owing to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, adding that Syria could serve as a “safe hub for energy supply chains” with “major investment opportunities in infrastructure and oil and gas resources”. He also spoke of Syria's great “human resources” and said Syrians had expertise in sectors including agriculture and banking.
Mr Al Shara also met members of the Syrian community to discuss the need for the country's citizens to be engaged in the rebuilding of their homeland.
Earlier on Monday, crowds gathered to cheer Mr Al Shara outside the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, where he is staying. Police said they were expecting thousands of people to gather, with rallies organised in support of and in opposition to the Syrian leader.
Before his visit, the German Interior Ministry announced an initiative to support Syria's Disaster Management Ministry and help train the country's emergency services.
