German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently discussed the possibility of many Syrians living in Germany returning to their homeland in the coming years during a meeting with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. He emphasised that these people are essential for Syria’s reconstruction, following a civil war that caused significant loss of life and destruction, leading to a large number of Syrians seeking refuge in Germany, which currently hosts over 900,000.
Chancellor Merz underscored his government’s focus on reducing migration, particularly the return of persons who are not eligible to remain. During the press conference, he stated that Germany’s priority is to repatriate those Syrians who have committed offences, noting, “We wish to repatriate individuals who pose challenges.”
While President al-Sharaa did not confirm the assertion that 80% of Syrians in Germany should return, he highlighted the contributions of the Syrian community, including 6,000 doctors and over a quarter of a million taxpayers, whom he described as valuable assets to both countries.
He also discussed efforts to implement a circular immigration model that would allow skilled Syrians to aid in Syria’s reconstruction while maintaining their stability in Germany.
Following their discussions, Chancellor Merz assured President al-Sharaa, “You can count on Germany’s support on the path to a better future,” stressing the importance of success amid ongoing regional conflicts.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
