Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani has cautioned that compelling the return of hundreds of thousands of Syrians residing in Europe without adequate financial backing would plunge the country into chaos. In an exclusive interview with Euronews following talks with EU counterparts in Brussels, al-Shaibani stressed that any large-scale repatriation must be accompanied by international support for reconstruction.
The minister met EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas this week as the bloc seeks to bolster Syria's fragile political transition after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The civil war displaced millions and shattered the economy, leaving the country dependent on external aid. European governments, notably Germany, have pressed Damascus to facilitate returns. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz earlier this year suggested that 80% of the nearly one million Syrians who fled to Germany should return by 2030—a proposal that drew sharp criticism from human rights groups and opposition parties, who warned of risks to returnees.
Al-Shaibani defended his government's record, asserting that Syria now has "no majorities or minorities, just Syrians," but insisted that a rushed return process would be destabilizing. "We have warned that forcing the involuntary and undignified return of Syrians will lead to chaos," he told Euronews. "The situation in Syria requires creating a suitable environment. This needs the involvement of the international community, especially the European Union, to support the Syrian government" in reconstruction.
The minister clarified that Damascus has not committed to any specific target for returnees or agreed to a timetable, echoing remarks by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. "We are not encouraging the return of Syrians in a hasty, unorganised manner," he said, adding that rebuilding the economy and creating jobs are prerequisites for large-scale returns.
EU Ties Reconstruction to Minority Protections
As Europe's political landscape shifts toward tougher migration and asylum policies, the EU views stabilising Syria as key to accelerating returns. Brussels also sees Damascus as a potential partner in the Middle East, provided it can be drawn away from what the bloc describes as "malign actors" such as Russia. However, the EU has made financial assistance conditional on the Syrian authorities ensuring the protection of ethnic and religious minorities.
"For us, it is important that all the minorities are taken into account by the government, there needs to be inclusivity," Kallas told reporters ahead of the meeting. "This is why we are offering our help in drafting the constitution so they can actually have elections." A European diplomat involved in the discussions told Euronews that the EU takes concerns over inclusivity seriously and sees it as a condition to build a deeper relationship.
This week, the European Council announced it would reinstate the full implementation of the EU-Syria cooperation agreement, allowing for more bilateral trade. The agreement was first suspended in 2021. Its reinstatement follows a string of EU measures easing restrictions on the country after the fall of the Assad regime. Last year, the Council also lifted economic sanctions on Syria.
The German Economic Institute has noted that the number of Syrians working and paying social contributions in Germany is higher than Chancellor Merz indicated, complicating the political calculus around returns. Meanwhile, the EU's approach remains cautious, balancing the desire for stability with concerns over human rights and governance.
Al-Shaibani's interview comes as the EU grapples with broader geopolitical challenges, including tensions with Russia and the war in Ukraine. The bloc's foreign ministers have been divided over direct talks with Putin, as reported in EU Foreign Ministers Split Over Direct Talks with Putin on Ukraine War. The Syrian file adds another layer to Europe's complex foreign policy agenda.
For now, the Syrian government insists that returns must be voluntary and dignified. "We are not encouraging the return of Syrians in a hasty, unorganised manner," al-Shaibani reiterated, underscoring that without substantial EU investment in reconstruction, any mass repatriation could backfire.
