The transitional president of Syria, Ahmed al Shara, and the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, have staged this Tuesday in Damascus the start of a new phase in relations between both countries after the overthrow of Bashar al Assad, with the signing of several agreements in the banking, investment, and infrastructure sectors, as well as with the reestablishment of their embassies.
The Syrian leader has described Macron's visit as a "milestone" that "culminates a path of discreet and substantial joint work," emphasizing that it is the first visit of a French head of state in 18 years. Furthermore, he has presented Syria after the fall of Al Assad at the end of 2024 as "a country that has decided to rise up and make space for those who wish to build alongside it."
In this regard, Al Shara has defined Damascus as "an indispensable bridge connecting East and West," highlighting the country's role in global stability in the face of the war in Iran and the tension in the Strait of Hormuz.
The transitional president has emphasized that the pacts with Paris are based on "concrete projects" with reciprocal benefits and has stressed that the set of agreements is "strategic" and involves "prominent French companies," according to statements released by the SANA agency.
Macron, for his part, has stressed that France will support a "free and sovereign" Syria. "We believe in the return of Syria as a country situated at the center of regional energy corridors. We are also interested in supporting the rehabilitation of infrastructure in the energy and commercial sectors," he stated.
The French leader has shown his willingness to intensify cooperation in areas such as security, training, and the strengthening of institutional capacities.
In this context, he has valued the offensive against extremism undertaken by the new Syrian authorities. "The fight against terrorism is difficult, and you are carrying it out with determination. We are willing to provide assistance and cooperate in the security field, especially in capacity building, training, and institutional development," he insisted.
As a symbol of the diplomatic thaw, both leaders have communicated the return of their ambassadors to Damascus and Paris after 12 years without representation. Since 2012, during the time of Nicolas Sarkozy, France had no ambassador in the Syrian capital, after withdrawing its representative in the midst of the repression of protests against Al Assad, which led to a prolonged civil war.
Signing of agreements and roadmap for reconstruction
The visit to Syria, the first by a European Union leader since Al Assad left power, has concluded with the signing of several cooperation agreements and memorandums of understanding covering investments, infrastructure, transport, health, banking, and institutional development.
These commitments include the expansion of collaboration in sectors such as the strengthening of educational, medical, and university institutions in Syria, with the aim of boosting the country's healthcare system.
In the field of infrastructure, a contract for the development of the port of Latakia signed more than a year ago stands out, to which a new contribution of 200 million is now added to increase the capacity of these facilities.
Syrian authorities have emphasized that the "roadmap" for reconstruction includes the modernization of airports, energy exploration in territorial waters, improvement of electricity and water supply networks, and the development of hospitals, among other priority projects.