The European Union has sent the foreign ministers of Germany and France to Syria to establish relations with the new Syrian leader.

The European Union advocates for a peaceful and inclusive transition of power in Syria, stated German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot during their visit to Damascus on Friday, where they met with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, the head of the HTS rebel group that overthrew Bashar al-Assad's regime.

During their trip, the European ministers visited the Sayyida prison located near Damascus, which has become a symbol of the atrocities committed by Assad's regime.

Human rights activists reported that over 4,000 prisoners were released following the change of power.

Addressing the audience in Damascus, Barrot expressed hope for a "sovereign, stable, and peaceful" Syria.

Baerbock emphasized that Germany aims to assist Syria in becoming a "functioning" state, describing the visit as a "clear signal" to Damascus regarding the potential for new relations between Syria and Germany, as well as Europe as a whole.

Despite the "skepticism" regarding the HTS rebels, which are considered a terrorist group in many countries due to their links with the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda, Baerbock stated that "we should not miss the opportunity to support the Syrian people at this crucial crossroads."

Baerbock urged the new Syrian administration to avoid "acts of revenge against population groups," delays in holding elections, and attempts to "Islamize" the judicial and educational systems.

It is also expected that during her visit, the minister will hold discussions with the new rulers of Syria regarding the voluntary return of refugees from Germany.

Jean-Noël Barrot met with representatives of Christian communities in Syria at the beginning of the trip.

Diplomatic sources reported that Barrot told Christian leaders that France supports pluralism in Syria, which implies equal rights for all population groups in the country, including religious minorities.

The French minister also called for a "political resolution" to issues concerning the Kurds, who largely control northeastern Syria.

Last week, al-Sharaa told Al-Arabiya that the Kurdish-led forces should be integrated into a new national army.

Moreover, while in Damascus, Barrot urged the new Syrian authorities to contact the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) as soon as possible, allowing it to inspect and destroy the chemical weapon stockpiles previously owned by Assad's government.

The meeting was not without controversy. While greeting the European delegation, Ahmed al-Sharaa shook hands with Jean-Noël Barrot but refused to shake hands with Annalena Baerbock, as this is not customary in Islam.

A video of the meeting circulated on social media, provoking outrage among European users who labeled the Syrian leader's behavior as a display of disrespect towards Germany, which has welcomed millions of Syrian refugees.

Background. It is worth noting that prior to this, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha had already visited Syria, stating that "we are with you and ready to assist in restoring normal life, stability, and food security."