ISTANBUL

Syria and Germany officially re-established their bilateral partnership on Monday, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced during a joint press conference in Berlin with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

“On behalf of myself and the Syrian people, I express my deepest gratitude to Germany, its leadership and its people. We will never forget how you opened your doors to a million Syrians when all other avenues were closed.

“You gave our children the opportunity to learn, work, and rebuild their lives,” al-Sharaa added.

The Syrian president also warned that “the military escalation in the region poses significant risks to global energy supplies and prices, in addition to the risk of its expansion.”

“We condemn any infringement on the security and sovereignty of our brotherly Arab states,” al-Sharaa said, adding that Syria condemns “Israeli attacks and aggressions” against its territory, the violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, and the occupation of new territories.