BERLIN, December 10. /TASS/. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke by phone with French President Emmanuel Macron, and they expressed readiness to cooperate with the new Syrian government if it upholds fundamental human rights and protects ethnic and religious minorities, German cabinet spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told reporters.
"They spoke primarily about the situation in Syria. Both agreed that they are ready to cooperate with the new authorities on the basis of fundamental human rights and the protection of ethnic and religious minorities," he said.
Scholz and Macron noted the importance of preserving Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty, according to the spokesman.
"Both agreed to work together to step up the European Union's engagement in Syria, including support for an inclusive political process in the country. The next steps will be discussed in close coordination with partners in the Middle East," Hebestreit said.
Syria’s armed opposition units started a large-scale offensive on government troops in the Aleppo and Idlib governorates on November 27. By the evening of December 7, they seized several large cities, including Aleppo, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, and Homs. On December 8, they entered Damascus while government troops withdrew from the city. Bashar Assad resigned as president and fled the country.