German Foreign Minister's Visit to Syria: A Diplomatic Snub (video)
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's visit to Syria faced diplomatic tension as Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara declined to shake her hand. This incident stirred debates regarding the new regime's stance on women's rights and democracy. Baerbock prioritized dialogue on these issues amid efforts to establish relations with Syria’s transitional government.
HASSAN BENYOUB 
In an unexpected visit to Syria, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock faced an awkward situation when Syrian leaders refused to shake hands with her, sparking mixed reactions both locally and internationally. This visit, conducted in collaboration with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, aimed to support the new transitional government following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
https://x.com/baerbockpress/status/1875225888675262887
Details of the Visit
During her reception in Damascus, Ahmed al-Shara, the new leader of Syria, extended his hand to Barrot but avoided shaking hands with Baerbock. Instead, he placed his hand over his heart as a sign of greeting. This gesture did not surprise Baerbock, who stated that she had anticipated a lack of customary handshakes during the visit, noting that Barrot also did not extend his hand initially.
Reactions to the Incident
- Local Reactions: The incident sparked widespread debate in media and social networks. Some critics argued that this behavior reflects a trend towards imposing a hardline Islamic identity on the new Syrian regime, raising concerns about women's rights and minority protections.
- Defense of al-Shara: Conversely, some supporters defended al-Shara, asserting that he is free to choose not to shake hands with a woman and that this should not necessarily be seen as a sign of disrespect.
- Baerbock’s Stance: Baerbock emphasized that she did not feel insulted by the incident and that the purpose of her visit was to promote dialogue on women's rights as part of the political transition process. She highlighted the importance of these rights as indicators of overall societal freedom.
Political Context
This visit comes shortly after the fall of Assad's regime, as the European Union seeks to rebuild relations with Syria under new leadership. However, the actions of the new government led by al-Shara raise concerns about the future of democracy and human rights in the country.
At the conclusion of their visit, European ministers discussed with the new leaders the importance of women's participation in the new government and the necessity of respecting the rights of all Syrian citizens. This incident serves as a clear example of the challenges facing international diplomacy when dealing with new regimes that adopt conservative policies, potentially affecting international relations and leading to new tensions.
