Al-Charaa highlights France's 'very constructive' role in Syrian transition and reconstruction

Syrian transitional president Ahmed al-Charaa lauded France's "very constructive" role in the country's transition and reconstruction efforts, coinciding with a two-day official visit by French President Emmanuel Macron. Al-Charaa expressed his hope that Paris will assume a prominent position in rebuilding Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

In an interview with French channel BFM TV, Al-Charaa described France as a "friend of the Syrian people since the beginning of the revolution." He specifically credited French support for helping lift sanctions imposed on Syria due to the former regime's actions. "France helped Syria achieve the lifting of sanctions that weighed on the country because of the former regime's exactions and played a very constructive role," he stated.

Al-Charaa recalled that his first foreign trip after assuming the transitional presidency was to Paris, where he received an "excellent welcome" from Macron, calling it "a first step in the right direction." He emphasized that Syria is now entering a reconstruction phase after 14 years of civil war and believes France, with its technological and industrial expertise, can become a key partner.

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France helped Syria achieve the lifting of sanctions that weighed on the country because of the former regime's exactions and played a very constructive role.

The Syrian president specifically mentioned the need for reconstruction in public institutions, infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, industry, and the financial system. He confirmed that Syria is finalizing a contract to acquire eight Airbus aircraft and invited major French companies to participate in the country's rebuilding, citing "common interests" in both economic and security spheres.

Furthermore, Al-Charaa asserted that the new Syrian authorities have significantly reduced migration flows towards Europe, attributing previous levels to the former regime's policies. He reported that over 1.5 million Syrian refugees have already returned to the country from neighboring states. His government has also begun dismantling drug trafficking networks, which he claimed had turned Syria into a major drug production center under Bashar al-Assad. "We share common security objectives with France," he added, anticipating that Macron's visit would lead to new bilateral agreements.

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We share common security objectives with France.