Germany reopened its embassy in Damascus on March 20, 13 years since it closed in the midst of the Assad regime’s brutal crackdown on protestors. The opening ceremony was attended by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, on her second visit to Syria since Bashar al-Assad’s fall on December 8 last year.

This followed Germany’s announcement, at the Brussels donor conference, of a humanitarian aid package worth €300 million. Germany stated that approximately half of this funding would be allocated to Syrian refugees and their host communities in neighboring countries, while the remainder would be allocated to providing food, health services, emergency shelter, and protection measures for the most vulnerable groups. The United Nations and various humanitarian organizations, rather than the Syrian government, will be responsible for disbursing the funds inside Syria.

That condition reflects Germany’s cautious approach to dealing with the new Syrian government and its reluctance to let aid to flow through government institutions, especially following violence in March in the coastal region, the government’s failure to reach an understanding with Suwayda, and the fact it has not yet begun implementing the agreement with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria.

This prompted Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani to express his reluctance to attend the Brussels conference, fearing it would be “politicized and promote narratives that serve foreign agendas,” an apparent reference to these and other issues being debated in Europe, such as combating terrorism and eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons.

These concerns may have been assuaged by the statement from conference, which “condemned the violent attacks by Assad regime remnants against security forces” and welcomed steps taken by Damascus to set up a commission to investigate the events on the coast.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU wants to support a comprehensive political transition that guarantees equal rights and equal representation for all Syrians, men and women alike, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or ideology, and that it should be a country where there is no place for sectarian violence, and where freedom of expression is guaranteed. She added that the EU also welcomed and supported steps taken by the government in convening the National Dialogue Conference, drafting the Constitutional Declaration, and encouraging the formation of a credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian government. All this appears to have reassured the Syria’s new rulers.

Germany appears to want to demonstrate its positive stance towards the new government, and moved quickly to open its embassy immediately after the Brussels conference. Berlin’s return to Damascus will open the door to the return of most—if not all—EU countries in the near future.

Germany has perhaps a greater stake than other European countries in the stability of Syria, as it hosts the largest share of Syrian refugees in Europe. The far right has attempted to use this to overthrow successive German governments, which have refused to change their refugee policy, as other European countries have done. Increasing humanitarian aid, support for reconstruction efforts, and restoring diplomatic relations with Damascus could all help stabilize the country, which could in turn encourage Syrian refugees to return home voluntarily.

The German move will also help the Syrian government balance its international relations with both Russia and Türkiye, as well as helping block any attempt by Iran to return to Syria. It also comes amid doubts over U.S. policy toward Damascus. Germany and the EU seem determined to steer a separate course from the U.S., given their differences over Ukraine.

In any case, the opening of the embassy is a credit to the new Syrian government’s achievements.