Chancellor Merz and President al-Sharaa Announce 'Joint Roadmap' for Syrian Refugee Repatriation and Reconstruction

Chancellor Merz and Syrian President al-Sharaa announce a joint effort to expedite the return of Syrians and a German delegation for reconstruction support.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 30, 2026, 12:37 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from AFP World.

A New Era of Berlin-Damascus Cooperation

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s joint press conference with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa marks a turning point in European-Middle Eastern relations. For the first time in over a decade, the German government is actively engaging with the Syrian leadership to address the future of the Syrian diaspora—the largest in the European Union. Merz emphasized that both nations are now "working jointly" to ensure that Syrian citizens currently residing in Germany have a viable, supported path back to their homeland. This cooperation signals a move away from the stalemate of the civil war era toward a focus on regional stabilization and demographic return.

The "Circular Migration" Model

President al-Sharaa introduced the concept of "circular migration" as a cornerstone of the new bilateral strategy. This model is designed to allow Syrians to participate in the reconstruction of their home country without necessarily forfeiting the residency or stability they have established in Germany over the last decade. By creating a flexible framework for movement, the two governments hope to encourage skilled Syrian nationals to bring their expertise back to Damascus while maintaining a safety net in Europe. Sharaa described this as a way for citizens to "contribute to the reconstruction" of their nation on their own terms.

Reconstruction Support and Rule of Law

Chancellor Merz expressed Germany’s intent to support the massive rebuilding effort required after the long and devastating Syrian civil war. To initiate this process, a German government delegation is scheduled to travel to Syria within the next few days to assess infrastructure needs and partnership opportunities. However, Merz was clear that large-scale joint projects remain conditional. He underscored that "many joint projects in the future will depend on our finding a state governed by the rule of law," expressing newfound confidence that such a transition is achievable under the current administration in Damascus.