epa12860112 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) arrive to attend a joint press conference during their meeting at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 30 March 2026. EPA/FILIP SINGER

epa12860111 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) attend a joint press conference during their meeting at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 30 March 2026. EPA/FILIP SINGER

epaselect epa12859991 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) welcomes Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) for their meeting at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, 30 March 2026. EPA/FILIP SINGER

epa12860008 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) chat on the terrace of the Chancellery prior to talks in Berlin, Germany, 30 March 2026. The Syrian president is on his first official state visit to Germany. EPA/SEAN GALLUP / POOL

epa12860007 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) chat on the terrace of the Chancellery prior to talks in Berlin, Germany, 30 March 2026. The Syrian president is on his first official state visit to Germany. EPA/SEAN GALLUP / POOL

epa12860006 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) walk on the terrace of the Chancellery prior to talks in Berlin, Germany, 30 March 2026. The Syrian president is on his first official state visit to Germany. EPA/SEAN GALLUP / POOL

epa12860005 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) chat on the terrace of the Chancellery prior to talks in Berlin, Germany, 30 March 2026. The Syrian president is on his first official state visit to Germany. EPA/SEAN GALLUP / POOL

epa12860002 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa emerge on the terrace of the Chancellery prior to talks in Berlin, Germany, 30 March 2026. The Syrian president is on his first official state visit to Germany. EPA/SEAN GALLUP / POOL

epa12860003 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) chat on the terrace of the Chancellery prior to talks in Berlin, Germany, 30 March 2026. The Syrian president is on his first official state visit to Germany. EPA/SEAN GALLUP / POOL

epa12860004 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) walk on the terrace of the Chancellery prior to talks in Berlin, Germany, 30 March 2026. The Syrian president is on his first official state visit to Germany. EPA/SEAN GALLUP / POOL