Macron visits Syria, first EU leader since al-Assad's fall

French President Emmanuel Macron made a historic visit to Syria, marking the first time an European Union head of state has visited the country since President Ahmed al-Sharaa assumed leadership. Macron's arrival in Damascus underscores a significant geopolitical shift for Syria under al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander who has been actively building relationships with Western and Middle Eastern countries that previously distanced themselves from the former Bashar al-Assad regime.

On the X platform, Macron stated, "My visit is to reaffirm France's commitment to the Syrian people. For a Syria of sovereignty, unity, and peaceful coexistence with its neighbors, let us open a new chapter of stability and peace together." Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani welcomed Macron at Damascus airport. The reconstruction of Syria is expected to be a central theme of Macron's visit, with several business leaders, including CEOs from TotalEnergies and CMA CGM, accompanying him.

French officials emphasized that Macron would highlight France's support for a free, pluralistic Syria that respects all communities and would meet with various Syrian figures. This visit follows a meeting between al-Sharaa and Macron in France last year, after al-Sharaa overthrew Assad. Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani was the first foreign head of state to visit Syria after Assad's fall in January. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also visited Damascus in January, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with al-Sharaa in Syria in April.

“

My visit is to reaffirm France's commitment to the Syrian people. For a Syria of sovereignty, unity, and peaceful coexistence with its neighbors, let us open a new chapter of stability and peace together.