In a significant shift in Syrian foreign policy, the Élysée Palace in Paris hosted Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa for an official visit—his first to a Western country since assuming power following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December of the previous year. The visit marks a turning point in reshaping diplomatic relations between Damascus and European capitals, as the new Syrian leadership seeks to open a new chapter in international relations after decades of isolation and conflict.
President Al-Sharaa held extensive talks with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, focusing on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest, particularly Syria’s security situation, reconstruction efforts, and opportunities to enhance economic cooperation, especially in energy and civil aviation. Discussions also covered Western sanctions on Syria, relations with Lebanon, and security challenges such as repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory.
In a joint press conference following the summit, Al-Sharaa emphasized that the talks with Macron addressed security and economic cooperation, justice and accountability, sanctions on Damascus, and relations with neighboring countries. He stressed that his government takes the issue of drug trafficking seriously and is actively working to curb sectarian violence. Al-Sharaa also reaffirmed Syria’s cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the UN commission investigating human rights violations.
Al-Sharaa stated: “We have affirmed that we are a serious partner in combating drugs and are taking concrete measures to address sectarian violence.” He added that Syria’s future “must not be drawn in distant capitals but must stem from the will of the Syrian people.” He called for the lifting of Western sanctions, which he described as “an obstacle to Syria’s reconstruction and recovery,” and emphasized the need for a supportive international environment for the political transition process.
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the Syrian president and described the dialogue as “constructive and open.” He stated that France supports a political path leading to a “stable and sovereign Syria” and advocated for a gradual lifting of sanctions to enable Syria to enter a comprehensive recovery phase. Macron said: “A new leader has ended the regime we long condemned—this is an opportunity to support peaceful change in Syria.”
The visit comes during a transitional phase in Syria following the end of over six decades of Baathist rule, including 24 years under Bashar al-Assad. Al-Sharaa assumed power in January after the new Syrian leadership announced a five-year transition period aimed at rebuilding state institutions and strengthening foreign relations.
The summit with France is seen as a signal of an emerging diplomatic breakthrough for Syria with the West. The international community is closely monitoring the extent to which the new Damascus leadership commits to principles of democracy and transitional justice and engages in regional and international initiatives to end the Syrian crisis, ongoing for over a decade.
