German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said that 80% of the more than 900,000 Syrian nationals in Germany should return to their home country in the next three years.
At a press conference with Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Berlin on Monday, Merz said the leaders agreed that over the "longer term of the next three years," around "80% of the Syrians currently in Germany should return to their homeland."
"That was also the wish of President Sharaa," Merz said, adding that "those Syrians who wish to remain in Germany and are well integrated will be able to stay in Germany."
Germany was one of the main destinations for Syrian refugees fleeing the devastating civil war, with around 1 million arriving in the country during dictator Bashar al-Assad's time in power.
Calls for Syrian nationals to leave Germany have risen in conservative and far-right circles following al-Assad's ousting in late 2024 by an Islamist coalition led by al-Sharaa.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Kids with smartphones by age 12 are at higher risk of health issues, study finds - 2Top 10 Smash hit Computer games of the Year
- 3Artemis 2 astronaut Victor Glover delivers inspiring Easter message on the way to the moon (video)
- 4Germany paves the way for tighter EU asylum rules
- 5Putting resources into Yourself: Self-awareness Techniques
- Exploring the Difficulties of Beginning a Family: Individual Experiences
- Louisiana seeks California doctor’s extradition, testing the limits of shield laws
- I decided to become a single mother by choice. I wasn't ready to stop dating.
- Invigorating Spots To Go Kayaking All over The Planet
- Scientists dove hundreds of feet into the ocean and found creatures no human has ever seen. Our trash beat us there
- Ski Resorts Universally: A Colder time of year Wonderland Guide
- China resumes flights to North Korea after a six-year pause
- Journalists killed by Israeli strike in southern Lebanon
- 10 Energizing Vocations in the Innovation Business
