Overview
- Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in interviews published Saturday that Berlin aims to enable a significant number of Syrian refugees to go back if conditions allow.
- Wadephul added that Syrians who work, learn German, and contribute can remain in Germany and later apply for citizenship if they show clear integration progress.
- He cautioned that Syria is not fully secure, noting the state cannot yet provide authority and safety across all regions, which limits near‑term returns.
- Syrian community leader Sadiqu Al‑Mousllie called large returns within three years unrealistic and cited major barriers such as 1.3 million people still living in tents and a lack of schools and housing.
- A separate row over a claim that up to 80% could return within three years remains unresolved after Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Syrian interim president Ahmed al‑Scharaa each disputed owning the figure, while Syria’s foreign minister described the diaspora as a strategic national asset.