Niels Annen in Damascus “Livelihoods for the Syrian population crucial for a successful transition process in Syria.”
Copyright© BMZ
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (right) and Parliamentary State Secretary Niels Annen at their meeting in Beirut
Press release 11 March 2025 | Parliamentary State Secretary at the Development Ministry (BMZ) Niels Annen travelled to Syria on Monday for political talks and held further discussions in Lebanon today. The focus of the visit was the transition process and recovery in Syria, as well as the reform agenda and challenges facing crisis-torn Lebanon. In Damascus, Annen held talks with Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shaibani, representatives of the United Nations, civil society and the private sector, spiritual leaders and the chair of the newly established investigation committee al-Dubais al-Anzi to address the recent acts of violence in the coastal areas of Syria. In recent days, massacres have occurred in Syrian coastal cities and surrounding villages, claiming many civilian lives.
Parliamentary State Secretary Niels Annen said: “The killing of unarmed civilians cannot be justified. After the fall of the Assad regime, everyone had hoped that the killing would end. I made clear in my talks that these acts must be investigated and the perpetrators held accountable. The Syrian people want peace and stability. In my meetings, I discussed how Germany can support Syria on this path.”
With the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, Syria initiated a process of transition. German development cooperation is supporting this transition towards a stable and peaceful Syria. The country’s economic recovery is an important prerequisite for successful stabilisation and for the various groups within Syrian society to live together in peace and equality. Its long-standing relationships with Syrian civil society and United Nations organisations enable the BMZ to respond quickly and adjust its support to the evolving situation in the country via these implementation partners. This includes generating income and supporting owners of micro and small enterprises. Projects are being implemented exclusively through UN aid agencies and non-governmental organisations. After the violent repression by the Assad regime of peaceful protests in March 2011, the German government suspended bilateral cooperation with Syria.
In Lebanon, Niels Annen held talks with the new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam – who won a confidence vote in parliament on 26 February 2025 – as well as with members of parliament, representatives of UN organisations and other development cooperation actors.
In Beirut, Annen said: “The people of Lebanon have gone through many crises in recent decades, which have set the country back significantly. Most recently, the escalation of the war between Israel and Hezbollah has caused enormous destruction. Over a million people have been displaced. Lebanon now needs a government that will tackle long-postponed reforms, enforce the state’s monopoly on the legitimate use of force in all parts of the country, and develop and implement a clear vision for the country’s future. I had an encouraging conversation with the new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on these points and met many committed people who are working towards these goals.”
The new government in Lebanon faces the enormous challenge of addressing long-overdue reforms to restore growth and prosperity to the country. At the same time, it needs to rebuild a country that has been devastated by crises and war and implement the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. Providing for the basic needs of Syrian refugees will remain an important task, as many will not be able to return immediately.