The foreign ministers of Germany and France have met with a representative of Syria's interim government on behalf of the European Union. The officials said building a democratic nation in Syria is a prerequisite for support.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot met Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the group that's in control of the interim government, in Syria on Friday.

Nation-building efforts have been underway in Syria since dictatorial President Bashar al-Assad's administration collapsed last month.

Baerbock held a news conference after the meeting, stressing the EU's readiness to support Syria. She said the bloc would do everything for the future of Syria where all the people should feel free and safe.

Baerbock added that the creation of a democratic country that respects the rights of minority groups and women would be the precondition for the lifting of Western economic sanctions imposed in response to actions of the previous regime.

The remark apparently reflects the EU's desire to build relations with the interim government to avoid rising tensions in the Middle East and eliminate the influence of Russia, which had supported the Assad administration.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and others say clashes between Turkey-backed militants and Kurdish forces have continued in the northern part of the country.

The human rights group said 208 people, including civilians, have died in recent rounds of violence.