BERLIN

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Monday he wants 80% of Syrians living in Germany to return to Syria within the next three years, stressing that the country needs people to rebuild after the end of its civil war.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Berlin with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Merz said the two governments would set up a joint task force to coordinate measures to facilitate an accelerated return process.

“I know that the majority of Syrians in Germany who found refuge here want to go back to their homeland,” Merz said. “They want to rebuild their home. They want to live safely, freely, and with dignity.”

The conservative leader said political stability and economic growth would be crucial for the return plan’s success and promised that Germany would support Syria’s economic recovery and reconstruction efforts.

“In the longer term, over the next three years, and this has also been President al-Sharaa’s wish, around 80% of Syrians currently living in Germany are expected to return to their homeland,” Merz told reporters. He added that those who are well integrated and want to remain will be able to stay in Germany.