Photo credit: Reuters
Germany and Syria began talks on the return of Syrians living in Germany, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told Rudlaw on Saturday, saying the two countries have yet to reach a final agreement.
North Press Agency reports that Dobrindt told Rudlaw, “We have started talks with Syria after his [Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s] visit to Germany. I think we have embarked on a good path and process for that with Syria, but we haven’t come to an end.”
Dobrindt said German authorities are considering three groups of Syrians. The first includes people convicted of serious crimes, whose return Berlin wants to pursue quickly. The second consists of people without a clear legal basis to remain, while the third includes those who have integrated into German society, hold jobs and have prospects of staying.
Germany is considering both deportations and incentives for volunteer returns, Dobrindt said.
The talks follow several recent meetings between German and Syrian officials. On Sept. 25, a German Interior Ministry delegation met Syrian officials in Damascus to discuss refugee returns and integration. German officials stressed that returns should be voluntary, dignified and coordinated with Syrian authorities, according to Syrian state media.
Germany has hosted more than one million Syrians who fled the war that began in 2011, according to the German government.
Berlin also began reviewing the protection status of some Syrians. Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees began withdrawing protection status in some cases in June, citing improved conditions in Syria, with the process expected to expand.
The discussions come as Germany debates its migration poli cy a nd how to balance returns with the integration of Syrians who work and have established lives in the country.
