March 31, 2026 • Berlin, Germany
Germany & Syria Seal Reconstruction Deal in Berlin: Kanzler Scholz demands return of Syrians without residency, President Al-Shara eyes 80% repatriation, €400B rebuild, and Siemens Energy pact
On March 31, 2026, German Chancellor and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Shara held a joint press conference in Berlin, marking a historic moment roughly a year after the fall of the Assad regime. They announced a strategic partnership focused on Syria's reconstruction, including a joint task force, German investment, and the creation of a circular migration model for Syrians in Germany. The Chancellor emphasized the need for a return of Syrians without legal residency, while the President stressed Syria's territorial unity and the need for a modern constitution.
📝 SMikhail
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1.3 Million
Syrians in Germany
Total number of Syrians living in Germany, including 6,000 physicians.
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€400 Billion+
Reconstruction Cost
Estimated total cost to rebuild Syria, presented by President Al-Shara as a major economic opportunity.
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80%
Return Target
Percentage of Syrians in Germany that President Al-Shara expressed a desire to see return to Syria within roughly three years.
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2
Major German Investments
Concrete projects announced with Siemens Energy and Knauf for the Syrian reconstruction.
- A joint task force was established between Germany and Syria to coordinate reconstruction efforts, involving German ministries for interior, economic development, and the Chancellery.
- A German government delegation is scheduled to travel to Syria within days to initiate the joint work program.
- The German development bank KfW and the GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) will open offices in Damascus shortly.
- President Al-Shara framed the over €400 billion reconstruction as a strategic investment opportunity for German and European markets.
- President Al-Shara announced the signing of a strategic memorandum of understanding with Siemens Energy to restore Syria's energy sector, noting the company's continued maintenance of a power plant in Deir Ezzor throughout the civil war.
- The German Chancellor stated that protection needs for Syrians must be reassessed, as the civil war has ended.
- Chancellor emphasized that those who no longer have a right to stay in Germany, especially criminals who abuse German hospitality, must leave.
- President Al-Shara expressed gratitude to the German people for hosting Syrian refugees and described them as a 'bridge' and 'human capital' for both nations.
- The leaders discussed a 'circular migration' model, allowing skilled Syrians (like doctors and nurses) to contribute to rebuilding Syria while maintaining their residency in Germany.
- President Al-Shara expressed hope that up to 80% of Syrians in Germany could return to help rebuild their homeland in the coming years.
- President Al-Shara stated that Syria is building a state of law and institutions after decades of tyranny.
- He declared a firm stance against any form of 'statelets' or autonomous zones, asserting the state's exclusive sovereignty and monopoly on power across all Syrian territory.
- Al-Shara announced a recent decree (No. 13) recognizing the rights and cultural heritage of the Kurdish population in Syria.
- The German Chancellor confirmed that President Al-Shara is committed to a state monopoly on violence, integrating Kurdish forces into the Syrian army.
- The Chancellor stressed that all joint projects depend on the establishment of a reliable constitutional state with verifiable rules for business and protection for minorities, including Christians, Alawites, Kurds, and Druze.
- Chancellor Scholz addressed the escalating conflict in the region (likely referencing tensions with Iran), noting its impact on German households through rising energy prices and the need for police protection at synagogues.
- Scholz expressed skepticism that the conflict can be solved with military means alone and called for a diplomatic solution and a contact group.
- President Al-Shara condemned attacks on Arab Gulf states and Israeli strikes on Syrian territory, while also committing to combating terrorism and Captagon drug smuggling networks.
- Both leaders emphasized Syria's strategic geographical position as a potential secure land corridor for energy supply chains between East and West, especially given the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
KEY QUOTES
Vor etwas mehr als einem Jahr haben die Menschen in Syrien nach Jahrzehnten der Unterdrückung eine Diktatur abgeschüttelt. Das war ein historischer Moment. - German Chancellor
A Million Syrerinnen und Syrer haben in diesen Jahren in Deutschland Zuflucht vor dem Bürgerkrieg gefunden und nun hat der Aufbau eines neuen Syrien begonnen. - German Chancellor
Wer keinen Anspruch mehr auf Aufenthalt hat in Deutschland, der wird Deutschland auch wieder verlassen. - German Chancellor
نحن في سوريا نرسي اليوم دعائم دوله جديده دوله القانون ومؤسسات بعد عقود طويله من الاستبداد الذي سخر الطائفيه والرعب كعدوات للحكم. - President Ahmed Al-Shara (We are laying the foundations of a new state of law and institutions after long decades of tyranny that exploited sectarianism and terror as tools of governance.)
لن نقبل باي شكل من اشكال الدويلات داخل الدوله ولن نسمح بوجود اي سلاح خارج اطار المؤسسات العسكريه والامنيه الوطنيه. - President Ahmed Al-Shara (We will not accept any form of statelets within the state, and we will not allow any weapons outside the framework of national military and security institutions.)
Syria
Germany
reconstruction
refugees
return
migration
Olaf Scholz
Ahmed Al-Shara
Berlin
press conference
Siemens Energy
task force
circular migration
constitution
minorities
Kurds
regional security
Iran
Israel