Germany appoints special coordinator for Syria amid escalating situation

Germany's Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock has announced that a responsible official was appointed to oversee interactions with Syria, including strengthening ties with the country.

“The focus is now on developing and expanding the established channels of communication with the Syrian side,” Baerbock told reporters, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"This also means that, of course, we will be expanding our [diplomatic] presence on the ground in light of the further developments in Syria. That is why today I have appointed a special coordinator for Syria at the German Federal Foreign Office," she said.

She announced that Tobias Lindner, who is currently the Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office, will take on this role.

Baerbock also stated that Germany will allocate 8 million euros ($8.4 million) in humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.

To stabilise the situation in Syria, Baerbock emphasised that additional assistance must reach the local population swiftly, despite the ongoing security challenges. She pointed out the sharp rise in food prices, highlighting that the price of bread has increased by 900 per cent in recent days, underscoring the dire economic situation.

A representative from the German Federal Foreign Office stated during a briefing in Berlin that, until a possible reopening of the German embassy in Syria, diplomatic relations with the future authorities will be conducted through Beirut. The German embassy in Syria has been closed since 2012.

By Naila Huseynova