Key facts
- French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus on Monday.
- This is the first visit by an EU head of state since Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in 2024.
- Macron is accompanied by French business leaders and investors.
- The visit aims to advocate for a free, pluralist Syria and discuss regional issues.
- The last French president to visit Syria was Nicolas Sarkozy in 2009.
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus on Monday, marking the first visit by a European Union head of state since President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in 2024. The trip signifies a geopolitical shift in Syria under the new leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander who has fostered ties with Western and Middle Eastern powers.
Macron's visit is intended to advocate for a "free, pluralist Syria" that contributes to moderating regional tensions. He is accompanied by a delegation of French business leaders and investors, signaling efforts to bolster economic cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations. Discussions are anticipated to cover regional and international developments, as well as the fight against the Islamic State group and Syria's treatment of its minorities.
The last French president to visit Syria was Nicolas Sarkozy in 2009, prior to the violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2011 that ignited a protracted civil war. The visit follows Macron's controversial decision to host al-Sharaa in Paris last year and comes shortly after a bomb attack in Damascus killed 10 people, highlighting the security challenges facing Syria's new authorities.
Analysts suggest France is seeking to secure a role in Syria's reconstruction and reassert its influence in the region. The visit is seen as a step in Syria's reintegration into the international arena, following earlier visits by Qatar's Emir, the European Commission chief, and Ukraine's President.