French, German FMs meet Syria's new de facto leaders | DW News

Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock and her counterpart, France's Jean-Noel Barrot, are the first ministers from the EU to visit Syria and meet with de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa since rebels seized control of Damascus on December 8, 2024. Their visit to Syria is the highest-level western visit since the fall of the Assad regime.

They expresseed support for the rebuilding of Syria. But they also made it clear that the EU will not finance Islamism - or tolerate discrimination against women or ethnic and religious groups.

DW talks to Christoph Schult in Damascus who is currently traveling with FM Baerbock. He is a journalist at Germany's Spiegel magazine.

There's some controversy over the Syrian leader's greeting for his EU visitors. Ahmad al-Sharaa shook hands with the French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot, a man, but not with Gemany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, a woman.

00:00 EU extends cautious olive branch to Syria
02:38 Christoph Schult in Damascus
08:04 Anchal Vora, DW Correspondent in Brussels
08:09 What signal is Syria's new leader sending?
13:02 Giorgio Cafiero, Gulf State Analytics

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#Syria #Damascus #EU

[AvalonCN]

It’s a cultural difference. To my understanding, there are religions where those of the opposite sex do not physically touch if they are unrelated. So not shaking her hand isn’t a sign of disrespect.

[galatheumbreon]

As an American, I can say it was more a difference between middle eastern and Western customs. He did show respect in his way, not with a handshake but with a slight bow.

[a]

Syrians: Rebuilding their country after 50 years of rule by a murderous regime

Western media: HaNdShAkE

[Momonosuke]

Maybe you guys should start to look at the world not only with your values but also consider the fact that ‘different cultures exists’

[moshesierra]

He was very respectful and she was actually prepared for that.
It was actually very nice and respectful encounter

[Aratto]

im western and that bow with the hand gesture is far more respectfull than a handshake. so sorry that we try to impose always our customs and norms.

[MissionIsPossible-qqts]

She looked like she was going to a cowboy disco right after. He crossed his hand over his chest and slightly bowed at her. That’s respect.
Also, for people who said he refused to shake her hand. That’s not true. He didn’t refuse. In a western custom, it’s common for a man to wait for a woman to extend her hand first as a consent to shake her hand. She never extended her hand for him to shake. She slightly pointed her hand out towards the direction they were going and then quickly crossed her hands. It’s a sign that the handshake was not necessary. I think she’s culturally aware of the Middle East culture, being a foreign affairs minister. Had she extended her hand for him to shake, I am sure he would have shaken her hand.
People made something out of nothing.

[JaverCanas]

Trash reporting pointing out that he didn’t shake her hand. In his culture that’s a sign of respect towards the woman. I’ve been to countries where I extended my hand to greet a woman and she was the one that turned it away.

[haxhibaba]

Not shaking a woman's hand is a RESPECT towards a woman with putting your hand in your heart ❤️!
Can you shake hands with the Queen 🫅 of England ?! Of course Not !

[shou_rouk]

she could dress more formal.this is disrespect

[marohs]

The body language of this minister is off and unprofessional.. not to mention the white jeans she is wearing and how she is walking before the Syrian leader!! it shows ignorance and unprofessionailty..

[HeroSaai]

Wtf with foreign minster clothing and walk ??, she is going for diplomatic meetings or a picnic ???

[ericdpeerik]

She's a foreign minister, she'll survive the lack of handshake. There's more important issues.

[bryensaeed]

She also knows it and didnt intend or expect the handshake with Al Sharaa too. I think both act smart. Only less knowledgeable people made drama about handshake.

I am disappointed that global media like DW doesnt know know it or doesnt even know how to observe body language (specially the german FM)

Honestly. On the other side, the German FM is not dressed properly even based on European standard in an official setting

[wilfordbrimley]

the foreign minister was dressed like she was about to go shopping, i wouldn't shake her hand either. she clearly doesn't take these islamists seriously, i foresee another wave of cultural enrichment and trucks of peace for germany.

[yunshuiseng]

The German FM wears a strange outfit for an official visit.

[jptrainor]

Interesting how the extremist leader of Syria knows when and how to dress in appropriate formal attire but the FM of Germany does not.

[MyKhan]

How Germany and France protected the rights of Palestinians minorities under their prepaid slaughter machine (Israel Forces )

[lancelessard]

She wasn't dressed properly for an international diplomatic function even by western standards with her light colored, form fitting trousers and blouse with no business jacket. She was the only one dressed so casually.

[tonyvito]

You backed an ex ISIS leader what are you expecting ffs