The Syrian transitional President in Paris on his first visit to Europe
On his first European tour since assuming the transitional presidency of Syria, Syrian transitional President Ahmad al Sharaa arrived in the French capital, Paris, on Wednesday.
The visit aims to garner international support for bolstering stabilization and reconstruction efforts in the country.
According to the Syrian Official News Agency (SANA), the visit includes an official meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, where the two sides will discuss a number of bilateral and regional issues, including cooperation in the fields of energy and aviation, and France’s role in supporting the Syrian reconstruction process.
Both presidents will also discuss security challenges, repeated Israeli attacks, and relations with neighboring countries, particularly Lebanon.
From the French side, officials confirmed that the talks will also address issues related to Syria’s sovereignty and internal security, particularly in light of the recent escalation of tensions against some minorities such as the Alawites and Druze, as well as ways to coordinate efforts to combat ISIS and ease economic sanctions on Damascus.
In a related development, Paris announced the lifting of some of the sanctions imposed on Syria, a move described as the beginning of a new phase in relations between the two sides, particularly with regard to vital sectors such as energy and air services.
A source at the Elysee Palace said that President Macron will affirm during the meeting his country’s commitment to supporting the building of a “new, stable, and sovereign Syria,” while emphasizing the need to respect all components of Syrian society.
The source added, “France isn’t unaware of al Sharaa’s political background and his previous relationships, but we are dealing with the reality and have clear demands regarding the transitional process, the most important of which is the inclusion of all segments of society and the provision of a safe environment for the return of refugees”.
President Macron extended an official invitation to al Sharaa to visit France last February, but the invitation remained conditional until March, when Macron called for the formation of an inclusive transitional Syrian government that would ensure civil society participation and provide the minimum level of security necessary for the return of Syrian refugees from abroad.
Ahmed al Sharaa’s visit to Paris represents a pivotal diplomatic milestone in his efforts to gain international recognition and open new channels for dialogue with the West, amid regional and international shifts redrawing the map of relations with Damascus.
