BERLIN / ISTANBUL

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner traveled to Damascus on Sunday, marking a rare visit by Western officials to Syria’s capital to discuss the voluntary return of Syrian refugees.

During talks with Syrian Interior Minister Enas Hattab, the delegations explored the possibilities for facilitating the return of Syrians currently residing in Germany and Austria.

Faeser emphasized a balanced approach, stating that refugees who have successfully integrated into German society and established new lives should be allowed to stay, while those involved in criminal activity or linked to extremist groups should be swiftly deported.

The joint delegation traveled to Damascus under tight security measures, reportedly entering Syria via the Greek Cypriot administration, according to local media. An earlier visit, planned for March, had been canceled due to security concerns.

Germany’s Interior Ministry is also working on a regulation that would permit Syrians with protected status to visit their home country without risking the loss of their protection status.

According to the Central Register of Foreign Nationals, as of the end of March 2025, there are 968,899 Syrian nationals living in Germany. Between 2015 and 2023, 163,170 Syrians obtained German citizenship.