Emmanuel Macron Arrives in Damascus for First Post-Assad Western European Visit

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, and he was welcomed by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani at Damascus International Airport.

“French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in Syria for talks with President Ahmed al-Sharaa, in the first visit by a leader from western Europe since Syria’s former dictator, longtime President Bashar al-Assad, was ousted from power in 2024”

Al Jazeera

Macron said on X, "I came to affirm France's commitment to the Syrian people. For a sovereign Syria, united in its diversity and at peace with its neighbors," as Syrian state news agency SANA described the visit as "a pivotal step in the process of restoring Syria's international presence."

Al Jazeera

The visit is scheduled to include meetings with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and their respective delegations, with Macron’s program listing plans for "informal" talks with al-Sharaa ahead of official meetings on Tuesday.

DW reported that Macron will leave on Tuesday, and it framed the trip as part of Syria’s effort to reboot its international credentials after Bashar al-Assad’s ouster.

The Times of Israel said Macron will advocate for "a free, pluralist Syria that respects each of its components" during his time in Damascus, with Jean-Noel Barrot accompanying him.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa told French broadcaster BFM TV, published by SANA, that France would contribute to the development of Syria's infrastructure and financial sector, adding, "Syria is currently in the reconstruction phase, and it has many resources."

Macron’s stated aim, as carried by DW, is to advocate for "a free, pluralist Syria that respects each of its components," while the French presidency told journalists ahead of the trip that the visit would also address reconstruction and investment security.

Al-Monitor

In Damascus, Faisal Azouz, 76, a retired teacher, said, "We hope this visit will represent a new start for Syria," and dressmaker Diala Akkashe, 33, said, "If Syria wasn't safe and stable, no president or foreign official would take the risk of coming," according to France 24.

The Times of Israel linked the visit to Syria’s geopolitical transformation under al-Sharaa, describing him as a former al-Qaeda commander and noting that Macron hosted al-Sharaa in Paris in May 2025.

France 24 also reported that the visit comes after a deadly bombing at a Damascus cafe last week, and it described the trip as a push to press al-Sharaa on minority protection after sectarian bloodshed in Syria's Alawite and Druze heartlands last year.

The French presidency said Macron would advocate for a "free, pluralist Syria" while discussions are expected to address Syria’s reconstruction and investments, with French business still wary of returning to the former warzone.

DW reported that Macron is accompanied by business leaders including Rodolphe Saade, chief executive of CMA CGM, and TotalEnergies boss Patrick Pouyanne, and it said the Elysee Palace also planned to return 23 archaeological artefacts loaned to the Arab World Institute in 2010.

France 24 said another topic would be the fight against the Islamic State jihadist group and the ongoing presence of a handful of French jihadists on Syrian soil, noting that Syria joined the international anti-IS coalition last year.

On the regional front, Macron is to travel to Ankara on Tuesday evening for the NATO summit, where al-Sharaa is expected to have a high-profile meeting with US President Donald Trump, and the White House said Trump would meet Sharaa on Wednesday on the sidelines of the summit.

The National added that France is demanding Syria deliver justice for Assad-era crimes and refrain from interfering in neighbouring Lebanon's affairs, while it reported that a day before Macron arrived, Syria’s new parliament opening session was postponed.