Syrian leadership refuses to shake hands with German FM as EU opens door to political renewal

During her unannounced visit to Syria on January 3, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was met with a striking refusal by representatives of the new Syrian authorities to shake her hand.

The encounter, captured on video and reported by Die Welt, shows Ahmed al-Sharaa, the leader of the new Syrian government, offering his hand to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot but refusing to do so with Baerbock, per Caliber.Az.

Instead, al-Sharaa and other Syrian officials placed their hands on their hearts in a gesture of refusal.

Baerbock and Barrot's visit marks the first time foreign ministers have traveled to Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government. Baerbock described the trip as a “signal from the EU” that political renewal between Europe and Syria — specifically between Germany and Syria — was possible. The two ministers aimed to discuss the conditions for a political transition in Syria, emphasizing an inclusive political process that would involve all groups, including women and minorities.

One of their first stops was Syria's notorious Sednaya prison, located north of Damascus. Accompanied by White Helmet rescue workers, a civil defence organisation supported by Germany since 2016, Baerbock and Barrot toured the prison, which has become infamous for its brutal treatment of Assad's opponents. Sednaya was the site of numerous human rights abuses, including extrajudicial executions, torture, and forced disappearances. An advocacy group reported that over 4,000 people were released from the prison when rebel forces captured Damascus on December 8.

Baerbock and others within these walls had to wear masks to protect them from the stench: the prisoners were kept in unsanitary conditions and in overcrowded cells. 

Dr Yasser Darkazanli, who examined the bodies of the dead after the prison was liberated, told media that "One of the methods [of execution] was to squeeze people to death. They split the heads with chainsaws and ripped the skin off the bodies in chunks with electric tongs. The brutality knew no bounds.’

"When I see today what people have gone through in this hell, in this hellish prison, it becomes clear how important your work has been," Baerbock told the White Helmets after visiting the prison. 

At the French embassy in Damascus, Barrot expressed hope for a “sovereign, stable, and peaceful” Syria, although he acknowledged that it was “a fragile hope.” He also urged Syria’s new leaders to engage in a political solution with the Kurdish authorities in the northeast, who have expressed concerns about losing the de facto autonomy that they have maintained since early in the civil war.

Barrot also called on Syria’s new rulers to engage with the chemical weapons watchdog to inspect and destroy any remaining stockpiles from the previous regime.

Before leaving for Syria, Baerbock issued a statement describing her visit as “a clear signal” of the EU’s intent to open the door for a "new political beginning" between Europe and Syria.

However, she made it clear that any lifting of sanctions would depend on the progress of Syria’s political process moving forward. She emphasized that her visit was an “outstretched hand” after over 13 years of civil war, with the goal of helping Syria regain its place as a respected member of the international community.

By Tamilla Hasanova