Reuters. Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday (March 30) Germany and Syria would work together to return hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, who he said had an important part to play in rebuilding their country.
Speaking after a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Berlin, Merz said around 80% of Syrians in Germany, where some 700,000 to 800,000 have been seeking asylum, were expected to return to their home country over the next three years.
“The civil war is over,” said Merz.
His coalition government imposed tougher controls when it took power last year, as support for the anti-immigration AfD party surged in the wake of former Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision to admit around 1 million asylum seekers from countries including Syria and Afghanistan.
Merz said Germany wanted to support the reconstruction process in Syria and was working with the government in Damascus on helping those who wanted to return.
Al-Sharaa said Syria would never forget how Germany had opened its doors to refugees during the civil war and said the two countries were restoring their partnership.
"We are working with our friends in Germany to establish a model of circular migration that allows Syrian talents to contribute to rebuilding their country," he said.
