German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Berlin to press for progress on Syria's political transition and the return of migrants. The meeting — Sharaa's first trip to Germany since ousting Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 — comes as Aleppo violence and Kurdish resistance complicate reconstruction and centralisation efforts. Berlin says security, human-rights concerns and the safe, voluntary repatriation of Syrians will be key topics in the talks.
Merz to Press Syrian Leader on Political Transition and Migrant Returns in High-Stakes Berlin Meeting
FILE PHOTO: Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz looks on as he delivers a press conference upon the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine, during the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' summit, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 6, 2026. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will press Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the shape of Syria's political transition and the return of migrants when they meet in Berlin next Tuesday, a government spokesperson said on Friday. The talks are being framed as an effort to "deepen relations" and seek a fresh start with Syria's transitional authorities.
Topics on the agenda
The German government said it would discuss a range of issues, including the safe, voluntary return of Syrian nationals and the broader political transition so that "all social groups can live in safety and participate equally in political and social life," according to a spokesperson.
"We have an interest in deepening relations and, if you like, making a fresh start with the new Syrian government," the spokesperson said. "We have many important issues to address ... One example is the return of Syrians to their home country."
Migration and domestic politics
Merz's conservative predecessor, Angela Merkel, implemented an open-door refugee policy around 2015 that led to roughly one million migrants arriving in Germany, many fleeing Syria's civil war. Since then, support for the far right has grown and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) under Merz has adopted a tougher stance on border security and migration, pledging to speed up deportations of rejected asylum seekers. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians in Germany still hold only temporary residence permits.
Sharaa's visit and Syria's challenges
The visit is President Ahmed al-Sharaa's first trip to Germany since he and his Islamist fighters ousted former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Sharaa's transitional government has embarked on diplomatic outreach to re-establish ties with countries that distanced themselves from Damascus during Assad's rule.
However, ongoing violence in Aleppo and tensions with Kurdish forces—who are resisting efforts to place their fighters under a centralized command—have complicated reconstruction and the political transition. The German spokesperson said these security and humanitarian concerns would be raised during bilateral discussions.
What comes next
Observers will be watching whether Berlin pushes for concrete guarantees on safe returns, human-rights protections and inclusive political arrangements in Syria, as well as any practical steps on migration cooperation. The outcome of the talks could influence both Germany's domestic migration debate and international engagement with Syria's transitional authorities.
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