Macron arrives in Damascus for first Western European leader visit since Syria's new authorities took power
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus on Monday for the first visit by a Western European head of state since Syria’s new authorities took power in December 2024, marking a historic diplomatic breakthrough as Damascus seeks international legitimacy and reconstruction funds. Macron landed at Damascus International Airport, where he was greeted by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, before holding a working dinner with President Ahmad al-Sharaa and scheduled meetings on Tuesday, including discussions with civil society representatives and a joint press conference .
Speaking on X, Macron declared, “I have come to express France’s commitment to the Syrian people. For a sovereign Syria, united in its diversity and at peace with its neighbours. Together, let us open a new chapter of stability and peace” . The visit underscores Syria’s geopolitical transformation under Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander who severed ties with the group in 2016 and has since cultivated close ties with Western and Middle Eastern powers, including the United States. Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 after 13 years of war that left much of Syria in ruins and millions displaced .
During the visit, Syria and France are set to sign agreements focusing on infrastructure and financial sector development, with Macron accompanied by a business delegation including the CEOs of TotalEnergies and CMA CGM . Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa told French BFM TV that France would “contribute to the development of Syria’s infrastructure and financial sector,” adding that “many other sectors” could benefit from French expertise as the country rebuilds . Sharaa described the visit as “a significant development in relations between the two countries,” emphasizing the historic nature of the rapprochement .
Macron’s trip follows his hosting of Sharaa in Paris in May 2025, where he advocated for the lifting of Western sanctions on Damascus. Most of those sanctions have since been removed, easing Syria’s path to reintegration with the international community . The French presidency stressed that Syria could only be a partner for France if pluralism is fully respected, warning against the replacement of one exclusive power structure with another .
The visit comes as both leaders prepare to travel to Ankara on Tuesday for the NATO summit, where Sharaa is expected to hold high-profile meetings, including with U.S. President Donald Trump . Syria has managed to avoid recent regional conflicts but remains devastated by war, with reconstruction costs estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars .
Macron’s arrival in Damascus represents the first such visit by a Western European leader since the fall of the Assad regime, signaling a potential shift in Syria’s international standing and offering a glimpse into the country’s fragile post-war transition.
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Syria, France to sign agreements during Macrons Damascus visit Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said France will contribute to infrastructure and financial sector development during Emmanuel Macrons visit to Damascus, marking the first trip by a Western leader to Syria since the Assad regimes ouster.
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