Syrian transitional president to meet France's Macron in Paris within first EU visit

The Élysée Palace has announced that French President Emmanuel Macron will host Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Paris on May 7, marking al-Sharaa's first visit to Europe.

The meeting underscores France's continued involvement in Syrian affairs as part of its historic commitment to Syrians seeking peace and democracy, Caliber.Az reports, citing Arab media.

The French presidency stated that Macron "will reaffirm France's support for building a new Syria—a free, stable, and sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society." Macron is expected to emphasise France’s role in supporting regional stability, particularly in Lebanon, and reiterate his demands for Syrian government reforms, including a commitment to the fight against terrorism.

The visit is seen as part of a broader diplomatic effort by France to re-engage with Syria in the wake of the civil war. In recent months, French and European diplomats have made moves to strengthen relations, with Foreign Ministers Jean-Noël Barrot and Annalena Baerbock visiting Damascus earlier this year. During their visits, they met with al-Sharaa at the request of the European Union.

Al-Sharaa’s upcoming visit is also a sign of a potential shift in European diplomatic strategies toward Syria. In February, Macron invited al-Sharaa to Paris, linking the invitation to the formation of a new Syrian government that would include all civil society components and guarantee the return of Syrian refugees.

The Syrian Transitional Government's diplomatic moves have been met with cautious optimism in Europe, as France remains committed to the stability of the region. Notably, France raised its flag over its embassy in Damascus in December 2024, after having closed the embassy in 2012 following the suppression of peaceful protests against then-President Bashar al-Assad.

On May 7, the meeting between Macron and al-Sharaa will likely be viewed as a critical moment in the ongoing efforts to shape Syria’s future and establish stronger diplomatic ties between Syria and Europe.

By Khagan Isayev