After the fall of the Syrian dictator Assad, the Union initially does not expect a new wave of refugees. “I don’t consider a second large wave of refugees likely, and we haven’t seen one from Aleppo either,” said Jürgen Hardt, the foreign policy expert of the Union’s faction, to the Rheinische Post (Monday edition).
They cannot be ruled out, however, “if the seemingly already ongoing talks between the groups were to fail, and the civil war continues to intensify,” said Hardt. The federal government must now “in the face of this new and dynamic situation push for a rapid agreement in the EU on further action.” Syria is a top theme for the European Council on December 19 and 20, the CDU politician said.
After 13 years of civil war, the focus must now be on peace, “and there must be no external think bans,” said Hardt. Other states should offer the Syrian groups a negotiating platform and signal their support for the building of a new Syrian society. This way, Syria can once again achieve stability and security, “which would allow the many millions of Syrians abroad to return to their homeland and work with a government that deserves their participation.”
CDU foreign policy expert Norbert Röttgen, meanwhile, described the fall of the regime in Syria as “a great liberation for the country and its people.” The “hell of Assad” is over after 13 years, Röttgen told the Spiegel.
The big winner is Turkey. “Erdogan will try to use his success also internally. He has a massive interest in Syria not collapsing, so that the return of the three million Syrians from Turkey can be achieved.” Whether also Syrian refugees from Germany can return, is too early to say, Röttgen said. “But there is an momentum for stability. Europe must now approach Turkey and explore cooperation.”
SPD foreign policy expert Ralf Stegner was more cautious. “It’s good that the Assad regime is at an end,” said Stegner to the Spiegel. “But also the militias are not people we would wish. It can be expected that they will not keep their promises. Germany will be faced with humanitarian requests.” Stegner was skeptical about demands for a new migration deal with Turkey and the repatriation of Syrian refugees. “Quick shots will not bring us forward,” he said. “In Syria, now other people are in life danger, supporters of a life after Assad.