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Macron meets al-Sharaa
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa held a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Damascus on Tuesday, July 7, after a meeting that included the signing of agreements and memoranda of understanding across various fields.
“Syrian-French agreements signed yesterday, on Tuesday, at the conclusion of the 'Economic Forum dedicated to rebuilding Syria and the strategic corridors' have led to the entry of large French groups and companies into various sectors of Syria's economy”
Al-Sharaa said Syria was opening “its doors today through an equal partnership and a vital bridge of communication that is indispensable between East and West,” while continuing “toward completing the path of national integration.”
The talks also addressed Israel’s role in southern Syria, with al-Sharaa condemning “the ongoing Israeli violations that undermine the security of the entire region” and calling for Israel to withdraw from territories it occupied after December 8.
Macron said France is committed to “a free, sovereign, and unified Syria across all its territory,” and he linked French interest to rehabilitating infrastructure in the fields of oil and trade.
The same day, Enab Baladi said Damascus witnessed security incidents, including the detonation of two explosive devices that left 18 people injured, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility for some incidents.
Agreements and diplomatic reset
Multiple outlets described Macron’s Damascus visit as a major expansion of ties, with the Arab Weekly saying the package unveiled on Tuesday spanned transport, ports, aviation, banking, healthcare, infrastructure, trade and higher education.
The Arab Weekly reported that Foreign ministers Asaad al-Shaibani and Jean-Noel Barrot signed an overarching declaration establishing a framework for comprehensive bilateral cooperation, and it highlighted a strategic agreement between Syria’s ports authority and CMA CGM covering maritime transport, logistics and aviation services.
TRT World said Syria and France agreed to reappoint ambassadors after a 12-year hiatus, with al Sharaa announcing, “We announce the agreement to exchange ambassadors between Damascus and Paris,” following talks with Macron.
Caliber.Az said the agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed in the presence of Macron and Ahmed al-Shaara, and it described the documents as aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership across political and economic fields.
Kurdistan24 added that al-Sharaa urged an “active French role” to stop what he described as Israeli escalations, while Macron said “The rule of law alone can build a new Syria, and the Syrian state must exercise authority over all of its territory.”
Security, money, and next steps
Beyond diplomacy and commerce, the sources tied the partnership to security and accountability, with Macron saying France would return more than €50 million representing illicit assets linked to a member of the former ruling family.
“Syria and France have signed a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding following talks between their foreign ministers in Damascus, the Syrian Foreign Ministrysaid”
Kurdistan24 quoted Macron saying, “France is ready to accompany you in prosecuting those who committed crimes,” and it also said France would return more than €50 million representing illicit assets linked to Rifaat al-Assad.
Anadolu Ajansı said the signing in Damascus on July 7 included a letter focused on asset recovery, paving the way to transfer €51 million of funds seized from Rifaat al-Assad to development projects for the Syrian people.
Anadolu Ajansı also reported a memorandum of intent affirming commitment to a project to rehabilitate and rebuild a bridge in the Idlib region, funded by France, and it said Macron arrived in Damascus for his first visit by a French president in 18 years.
Separately, Enab Baladi said the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for some security incidents, while the Syrian government joined the international coalition to fight terrorism in late 2025.
