French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited the Syrian capital to engage in discussions on behalf of the European Union, marking the highest-level visit by significant Western powers since the recent ousting of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led forces.

Their itinerary included a visit to the infamous Sednaya prison, located north of the capital.

Accompanied by members of the White Helmets, Barrot and Baerbock examined the prison’s cells and underground facilities, which symbolize the brutalities inflicted upon Assad’s adversaries.

Sednaya has been associated with extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances. An advocacy organization reported that over 4,000 individuals were released from this detention center when rebel forces captured Damascus on December 8.

In a statement to the press at the French embassy in Damascus shortly after arriving from Lebanon, Barrot conveyed his aspirations for a “sovereign, stable, and peaceful” Syria.

He also expressed a desire for the realization of the hopes of all Syrians, noting, however, that this remains a “fragile hope.”

The recent visit by the foreign ministers of France and Germany occurred shortly after rebels, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), removed Assad from power. In a previous interview with FRANCE 24 and a group of foreign journalists, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa urged Western nations to lift the international sanctions imposed on the Assad regime.

Before departing for Damascus on Friday, Baerbock stated that her visit represented a “clear signal” from the EU aimed at paving the way for a “new political beginning between Europe and Syria, and between Germany and Syria.”

She emphasized that she was approaching Syria with an “outstretched hand” following Assad’s removal and over 13 years of civil conflict that have ravaged the nation. “We now have a shared objective that millions of Syrians also desire: for Syria to regain its status as a respected member of the international community,” she remarked.

‘Clear expectations’ for Syria’s transition process

Since the ousting of Assad, HTS has made efforts to assure Arab nations and the global community that they will govern in the interest of all Syrians, including the country’s religious minorities.

Western governments have begun to cautiously establish communication with Sharaa and HTS, a Sunni Muslim group that was once linked to al-Qaeda, and discussions are underway regarding the potential removal of the group’s terrorist designation.

Baerbock indicated that her trip to Syria was intended to convey “clear expectations” of the new leadership, which she stated would be evaluated based on their actions.

“We understand HTS’s ideological origins and their past actions,” Baerbock noted.

“However, we also recognize the emerging desire for moderation and dialogue with other significant stakeholders,” she added, referencing discussions with the US-aligned Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The current objective is for Syria to regain its status as a respected member of the international community, she stated.

Baerbock urged the new government to refrain from “acts of vengeance against segments of the population,” to ensure timely elections, and to prevent any efforts to Islamize the judicial and educational frameworks.

“This should be our shared goal,” she emphasized.

The new authorities in Syria have introduced changes to the curriculum, eliminating poetry related to women and love, as well as references to “Gods” in ancient history classes. They have also interpreted a Quranic verse concerning those who have angered God as referring to “Jews and Nasara,” a pejorative term for Christians.

Additionally, the national anthem has been excluded from school textbooks, and the previously nationalistic phrase “to sacrifice one’s life in defense of his homeland” has been replaced with the Islamist phrase “to sacrifice one’s life for the sake of Allah.”