Germany Invites al-Shar’a to Berlin to Discuss Refugee Repatriation
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has invited Syrian Transitional Government President Ahmad al-Shar’a to visit Germany for talks focused on the repatriation of Syrian refugees—particularly those convicted of crimes on German soil—as well as discussions on ways to restore stability to Syria.
During a visit to the city of Husum in the state of Schleswig-Holstein on Monday, Merz stated that “the war in Syria is over, and there is no longer any justification for asylum in Germany,” adding that the country can now “begin deportation procedures.”
Merz, who also leads the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said Germany would take part in efforts to promote stability and reconstruction in Syria, expressing hope that “a large number of refugees will voluntarily return to help rebuild their homeland.” He added: “Without these people, reconstruction will not be possible. As for those who refuse to return, we can, of course, deport them in the near future.”
Merz’s remarks came in response to comments made by Foreign Minister Johann Fadevoll, who had recently expressed doubt over the possibility of large-scale refugee returns anytime soon during a visit to war-damaged areas near Damascus. “People can hardly live here in dignity,” Fadevoll said at the time.
According to data from the German Interior Ministry, as of August, about 951,406 Syrians were residing in Germany, including 920 individuals under deportation orders without temporary residence permits.
In Syria, opposition forces overthrew former President Bashar al-Assad roughly a year ago, paving the way for the establishment of a transitional government led by Ahmad al-Shar’a. The Syrian premier is scheduled to visit the United States next week to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House, before traveling on to Berlin.
