German Chancellor Merz Invites Al-Shara to Visit Berlin

SadaNews - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that he has invited Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara to visit Berlin to discuss issues of mutual interest, including the return of Syrians to their country.

Merz stated in press remarks today, Tuesday, during his visit to the city of Husum in Schleswig-Holstein, that he invited Al-Shara to visit Germany to discuss ways Berlin can contribute to stabilizing Syria and facilitating the return of Syrians in the European country to their homeland.

He pointed out that "the internal war in Syria has ended, so the right to asylum in Germany (for Syrians) no longer applies, and we can start deportation processes for those with criminal records."

He expressed his belief that a significant number of Syrian refugees currently in Germany will voluntarily return and participate in the reconstruction of their country.

He added that reconstruction is impossible without these individuals, and those who refuse to return from Germany may be deported in the near future.

Merz's statements come in response to skepticism from his foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, regarding the likelihood of a large number of Syrian refugees returning voluntarily in the near future, given the massive destruction in their country.

Wadephul's statements, made during his visit to devastated areas in the Syrian capital, Damascus, drew criticism from within his Christian Democratic Union party.

Source: Anadolu Agency