Europe EU Commissioner backs voluntary return to Syria
According to EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, deportations to Syria will only be possible to a limited extent for the time being. "As far as the stability of Syria is concerned, we have not yet reached the point where we can carry out large-scale deportations," Brunner told the German Press Agency in an interview. "Syria is not yet a safe country of origin according to EU rules. We are providing support so that the situation improves and this changes," he added.
31.01.2026, 09:04
SDA
With the exception of criminals, the first step is therefore voluntary return to the country ravaged by civil war. "Our asylum agency has told us that the situation in Syria is improving." The EU border protection agency Frontex has therefore already supported the voluntary return of thousands of Syrians.
Over 940,000 Syrians in Germany
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) drew heavy criticism within the CDU/CSU in October after he doubted that large numbers of Syrians would return voluntarily during a visit to Syria. The CSU in the Bundestag, on the other hand, had stated in a resolution paper for a closed meeting in Seeon Monastery in Upper Bavaria that the reason for protection would no longer apply to most Syrians with a temporary right to stay once the civil war in the country had ended. There would have to be a deportation offensive in 2026 - including to Syria.
According to the German government, there were over 940,000 Syrians in Germany at the end of November. More than half of them had protection status, for example as persons entitled to asylum or recognized refugees. The others were in the country on a different basis, for example with a settlement permit, a tolerated stay permit or, if the asylum procedure was still ongoing, with a residence permit.
