By Anadolu staff
BERLIN (AA) - Germany and France expressed readiness Monday to work with Syria's new government while emphasizing that respect for fundamental human rights and the protection of minorities would be essential conditions for cooperation.
The joint position emerged from a phone conversation between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron following the weekend overthrow of longtime Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad by anti-regime forces.
“Assad had caused terrible suffering to the Syrian people and great damage to his country,” German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit quoted the leaders as saying in a statement following their discussion.
“Both agreed that they are ready to work with the new rulers on the basis of fundamental human rights and the protection of ethnic and religious minorities,” he stressed.
In their conversation, the two leaders emphasized the importance of preserving Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty, Hebestreit noted.
“Both agreed to work together to strengthen the European Union's engagement in Syria, including supporting an inclusive political process in Syria,” he said, adding the leaders would discuss the next steps in close coordination with partners in the region.