The French and German foreign ministers have met Syria’s new leaders and called for an inclusive transition of power, in the first visit by European Union ministers to Syria since the Assad regime fell in December.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she prioritized women’s rights while meeting Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus on Jan. 3.

The foreign ministers of Germany and France said they wanted to forge a new relationship with Syria and urged a peaceful transition as they met its de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus on Friday on behalf of the European Union.