German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) has said that during her visit to Syria, her first impression was the “shattered society”. On the one hand, there is the great hope that after years of civil war, freedom may finally be possible for all, and on the other hand, the concern that this freedom and hope may be shattered once again, particularly for women, she told the ARD. “Where women’s rights are trampled, no one is free in a society” the Foreign Minister added.
The signals of the last four weeks have been mixed, according to Baerbock. Sometimes there have been “glimmers of hope”, and sometimes statements that made one think, “oh no, it’s going in the wrong direction”.
The future of Syria also has implications for Europe. People needed for the rebuilding of Syria, as Baerbock said, “will only come if they know their daughters will be safe on the ground”. The new leader Ahmed al-Scharaa refusing her a handshake “shows from which ideological corner he comes”. That’s why such talks are important for her, the Foreign Minister said.
“One looks into the eyes and can notice if it’s deep ideology, if one doesn’t give a hand to women” Baerbock said. “We Europeans don’t want to be financiers of an Islamization.” But one should seize the chance, “even if the way is rocky and without guarantee”.