After over a decade of war, Syria now faces a crucial watershed. The fall of the Assad regime has for many Syrians sparked hopes of peace and freedom. The people in the country hope that they can now finally begin a new chapter. However, the situation remains fragile – the civil war has not only destroyed the country but left deep scars in Syrian society. Millions of people are displaced, the humanitarian situation remains extremely precarious and the danger of fresh violence is omnipresent.

At this time of fragility, it is crucial that Syria does not once again become an arena for international power struggles. The focus must be on creating stability and a lasting peaceful order. The Federal Foreign Office has therefore drawn up an eight-point plan to support this new beginning and open up the prospect of a free and democratic future for the people of Syria.

Stability and responsibility – the eight-point plan for Syria

1. A peaceful handover of power

A peaceful handover to a stable and inclusive government is the first and most important step. To this end, there must be a comprehensive, Syrian-led dialogue process involving all social, ethnic and religious groups. This dialogue is essential in order to restore the Syrian people’s trust in their political structures. A ceasefire and the integration of militias into a national army are just as important in this process as the development of new administrative structures. The aim in the long term is to enable free and democratic elections.

2. Protection from external influence

Syria must not become the plaything of foreign powers once again. The German Government will therefore strive for in-depth liaison with international partners, particularly within the United Nations. The aim is to preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and prevent any external interference. A stable dialogue process can only succeed if regional stakeholders who are pursuing their own security interests commit to respecting Syria’s sovereignty.

3. Pragmatic approach to local actors

Groups such as the Islamist militia Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) have de facto taken on a dominant role in parts of Syria. Their influence cannot be ignored – but it must be watched with a critical eye. We have drawn up criteria for the possibility of involvement in political processes. It is important, for example, that minorities are protected, women’s rights are respected and acts of vengeance are prevented. Germany is working closely with international partners to define a common approach to groups such as HTS, in order to preserve the chances of stability while at the same time limiting the influence of extremist ideologies.

4. Humanitarian assistance and reconstruction

The humanitarian situation in Syria remains precarious. Food prices have rocketed once again in recent weeks, and millions of people depend on external assistance. As well as providing emergency relief, in cooperation with the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNHCR as well as via other channels, in the medium term we also aim to play a role in reconstruction in order to create prospects for the people in the country. Meanwhile, it is important for the international community to find ways of delivering humanitarian assistance directly to the people who need it, including in hard-to-access regions.

5. Justice and reckoning with the past

Almost fourteen years of civil war have left deep scars. Reckoning with the crimes of the Assad regime and other parties to the conflict is essential in order to pave the way for long-term reconciliation. Germany has already taken a strong stance against impunity, including by applying the principle of universal jurisdiction in German courts. We will be happy to share our experience and technical expertise in order to support national reconciliation processes.

6. Securing and destroying chemical weapons

The chemical weapons remaining from the Assad regime pose a considerable danger. It is urgent for them to be securely destroyed in order to protect the Syrian people and the region. Germany supports the efforts of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and stands ready to provide technical and logistic assistance in order to eliminate the remaining stockpiles.

7. Greater diplomatic presence

After years without a diplomatic mission in Syria, the German Government plans a return to the country as soon as local conditions allow. The new Federal Foreign Office Special Coordinator for Syria, Minister of State Tobias Lindner, will to this end hold in-depth talks with relevant regional stakeholders in the coming weeks in order to strengthen political dialogue. The aim is to further expand our existing contact with all forces within Syrian society.

8. Support for the safe return of refugees

Enabling Syrian refugees to return home if they would like to do so is a key concern. This can only happen under clear-cut conditions: any return must be voluntary, safe and dignified. Germany is working closely with UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Syria’s neighbours to consult on these requirements. They also include establishing socio-economic structures that will allow returning refugees to build a new life in their home country.

Responsibility for the future

Lasting peace requires patience, resolve and international cooperation. The eight-point plan sets clear priorities in order to turn the hope of a new beginning in Syria into a permanent reality. Together with international partners, Germany is working to set the country on a stable and peaceful course.