Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit to the German capital, Berlin, scheduled for Monday, March 30, carries exceptional significance as his first official visit to Germany since taking power following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024.
The visit also comes amid broader shifts in relations between Damascus and European capitals after years of political rupture and diplomatic isolation.
Berlin, a Pivotal Stop in Syria’s Re-engagement
The visit comes at the invitation of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who is set to receive al-Sharaa at the Chancellery in a meeting expected to shape the next phase of bilateral relations.
The visit program will begin with a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace, before moving on to expanded talks with the German government, to be capped by a joint press conference.
Between those two meetings, al-Sharaa will attend an economic roundtable bringing together officials from the Economy Ministry and the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, alongside representatives of major German companies, to discuss investment and reconstruction opportunities.
Economic Dimensions, the Reconstruction Challenge
Damascus understands that Berlin is not only a political gateway, but primarily an economic one. As Europe’s largest economy, Germany represents a key entry point for any broad financing effort for Syria’s reconstruction.
The anticipated economic roundtable is not expected to be limited to theoretical discussions, but will likely include:
- Exploring investment opportunities in the energy, infrastructure, and transport sectors
- Rehabilitating destroyed cities and housing projects
- Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to strengthen local recovery
- Opening European financing channels through development institutions
This comes amid growing European recognition that reconstruction costs, estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars, cannot be borne without broad international involvement.
Refugees, a Point of Convergence or Dispute?
The issue of Syrian refugees is one of the most sensitive files on the visit’s agenda.
In Germany alone, around 940,000 Syrians live in the country, placing the issue at the heart of domestic political debate.
From Berlin’s perspective, there is a growing push toward:
- Accelerating the return of refugees, especially those with criminal records and rejected asylum claims, in what is described as a “safe and voluntary” manner
- Linking returns to improvements in living and security conditions in Syria
- Reducing pressure on Germany’s social welfare system
In contrast, Damascus is seeking to:
- Secure financial support for reintegrating returnees
- Ensure that return is not tied to complex political conditions
Between these two tracks, the question of “guarantees” remains the central point of negotiation.
A European Context, From Isolation to Cautious Engagement
Berlin does not represent a standalone case, but part of a broader shift in the European mood toward Syria.
Since 2025, several signs of this shift have emerged, most notably:
- The reopening of embassies, including the German embassy in Damascus
- Repeated diplomatic visits, including that of German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul
- European discussions about a possible role in reconstruction
This shift is driven by several factors, including concern over new refugee waves, a desire to promote regional stability, and economic interests tied to reconstruction.
Yet this opening remains cautious, subject to delicate balances between interests and political values.
Heavy Security and Domestic Reactions
Alongside Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit, German authorities are preparing to carry out one of the largest security operations linked to a political visit in Berlin in recent times, underscoring the sensitivity and complexity of the event.
According to the Berliner Morgenpost newspaper, strict security measures will be imposed throughout Sunday and Monday, including roadblocks on several main streets, the deployment of snipers at selected locations, and the use of explosive-detection dogs, as part of a plan aimed at securing the movements of the official delegation and preventing any potential threat.
Police also plan to deploy hundreds of personnel, including riot control units, along the routes expected to be used by al-Sharaa’s motorcade, as well as at possible gathering points, amid expectations of demonstrations or protest actions linked to the visit.
These strict security measures come amid mounting criticism of the visit. The Kurdish community in Germany has criticized Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s trip to Berlin, saying it overlooks minority concerns.
This rejection, along with other opposition positions within diaspora communities, reflects the reasons behind the extensive security mobilization, amid expectations of protests and gatherings tied to the visit.
A Delayed Visit, Shaped by Field Developments
The visit had been scheduled for last January, but it was postponed at Syria’s request, coinciding with military tensions in northeastern Syria, particularly in areas that had been under the control of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The delay reflects how closely diplomatic moves remain tied to developments on the ground inside Syria, where full stability is still far from reach.
After Berlin, On to London
The Berlin visit does not appear to be the end of the road, but rather the beginning of a broader European tour for Damascus. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected to travel later to the British capital, London, on Tuesday, March 31, in his first official visit since diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored, according to state-run SANA.
The National newspaper reported that the visit will coincide with Britain’s announcement of a financing program for British exports to Syria, in an effort to strengthen economic partnerships and contribute to Syria’s reconstruction.
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