French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Damascus opened a new chapter between Syria and the West. Meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the People's Palace in Damascus, Macron announced that they had agreed to exchange ambassadors between the two countries.
Sharaa described the meeting as a "historic turning point" and said Syria had opened its doors to equal partnership. He stressed that his country was a vital bridge between East and West.
The two leaders also condemned Israel's violations of Syrian sovereignty during the talks. Sharaa said, "We explicitly addressed Israel's persistent violations that undermine the region's security. Real stability requires an international commitment for Israel to return to the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement and fully withdraw from the areas it has occupied since December 8, 2024."
Macron expressed France's commitment to a free, sovereign, and territorially integral Syria. "The rule of law alone allows a new Syria to be built, and it is essential that the Syrian state has control over all its territory," he said.
The French president announced that his country would return more than 50 million euros to Syria, noting that the money was the corruption proceeds of a member of the former "tyrant's" family, pointing to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
During the visit, strategic agreements were signed with major French companies and work is underway on concrete projects to serve both peoples.
There was also consensus on Lebanon. Sharaa and Macron agreed on the importance of supporting the country's stability and the sovereignty of its institutions. Sharaa stated, "Extending state authority and monopolizing the legitimate use of arms are the only guarantees of Lebanon's national security."
Macron acknowledged that fighting terrorism is difficult but said Sharaa was pursuing it with determination. He stressed that for Syria's future, the voices of the victims must be heard, justice served, and the criminals tried. In this context, referring to the explosions near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus on Tuesday that injured 18 people, including four police officers, he said, "We are ready to assist you in bringing those who committed crimes to justice."
Macron's visit was the first by a French president to Damascus in 18 years. The last visit was in September 2008 by then-President Nicolas Sarkozy.
The meeting is seen as a sign of the rapprochement between Paris and Damascus following Sharaa's trip to France, his first European and Western stop after taking office in May 2025.
