The inaugural session of the Syrian-German Joint Committee began at Tishreen Palace in Damascus on Thursday, July 16, after the two countries formally signed a declaration establishing the committee. The declaration creates an institutional framework to organize sustained cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations based on shared interests and mutual respect.

The official declaration was signed for Syria by Qutaiba Qadish, director of the International Cooperation Administration, and for Germany by Géza Andreas von Geyr, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office.

The inaugural session was chaired by Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad al-Shaibani and German Minister of State Géza Andreas von Geyr. Officials and specialists from both countries participated in discussions on cooperation prospects and the development of economic and humanitarian relations.

The joint committee is expected to play a central role in coordinating and advancing key areas, including economic recovery, reconstruction efforts, attracting investment, and developing the energy, transport, and civil aviation sectors.

Its agenda also covers humanitarian and legal issues, including transitional justice, missing persons, and mechanisms for addressing the refugee issue.

Final Air Transport Agreement Signed

Syria and Germany also signed the final air transport agreement between the two countries at Tishreen Palace in Damascus on Thursday, July 16. The agreement aims to establish the legal and regulatory framework required to begin operating bilateral flights, according to a statement published by the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation on its official social media accounts.

The agreement was signed by Sameh Orabi, deputy head of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport, on behalf of Syria, and Géza Andreas von Geyr, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office, on behalf of Germany.

According to the authority, the agreement paves the way for the two countries to move directly to the implementation stage. This includes completing operational procedures between their civil aviation authorities, designating air carriers, regulating air transport rights and flight frequencies, issuing operating licenses and approvals, and completing the technical and security requirements needed to operate flights.

The signing follows the joint declaration of intent previously signed by the two countries in Berlin, the German capital, on March 30, 2026.

On March 29, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa made an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany accompanied by a ministerial delegation. During the two-day visit, he met senior German officials and discussed ways to develop bilateral relations, strengthen cooperation in various fields, and address regional and international developments.

Al-Sharaa also held a roundtable meeting with representatives of German companies and met members of the Syrian community in Germany. The visit included the signing of a memorandum of understanding and two agreements covering energy and air transport.