During her visit to Damascus, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock outlined clear conditions for European support of Syria's new leadership and emphasized that Germany and the European Union are committed to fostering a peaceful and free future for Syria.

The French and German foreign ministers are the most senior Western officials to visit Syria since longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebels.

In December, the German government published an eight-point plan for Syria, including humanitarian aid and support for prosecuting officials of the former regime. Germany also expressed a desire to promote the "voluntary, safe, and dignified" return of Syrian refugees to their homeland.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned Syria's new leaders Friday not to establish an Islamist government after the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last month.

The more than one million Syrians who fled to Germany have celebrated the end of war in their homeland. Some fear it could mean losing their refugee status.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is travelling to Syria for a one-day trip with her French counterpart on behalf of the EU, where she will meet with

The foreign ministers of Germany and France said they wanted to forge a new relationship with Syria and urged a peaceful transition as they met its de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Friday on behalf of the European Union.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Germany’s foreign minister said on Friday that the security of Syria’s Kurds is “essential” for peace in the country and called for an end to attacks on Kurdish forces and their inclusion in the new security apparatus.

The visit by European ministers symbolizes a significant shift in international diplomacy following years of strained relations between Europe and Syria.

The foreign ministers from Germany and France arrived in Damascus on Friday morning for talks with the transitional government formed by the militant groups that drove former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad from the country.