French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Damascus will mark the first visit by a French president to Syria in 17 years.
The Syrian presidency said on Sunday, July 5, that President Macron would make an expected visit to Syria, without specifying a date. Macron’s visit will be the first by the head of a Western state since Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa assumed power in late 2024.
It will also be the first visit by a French president to Syria since Nicolas Sarkozy visited Damascus in 2008 and 2009, before Syrian French relations were severed after the Syrian revolution broke out in 2011.
Macron will be the first leader of an EU member state, and the first head of state from a major power, to head to Damascus.
The French president was the first Western leader to receive al-Sharaa, during a visit the Syrian president made to Paris in May 2025.
Agence France-Presse said the French presidency declined to comment at present on the details of the expected visit.
Syrian-French relations have seen notable development after the fall of the Assad regime, following a period of rupture over the events of the Syrian revolution.
Macron Accompanied by Economic Delegation
The Media Directorate at the Presidency of the Syrian Arab Republic told the official Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA, that the French president will discuss with his Syrian counterpart ways to strengthen bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest.
The directorate said Presidents Ahmed al-Sharaa and Emmanuel Macron will hold a roundtable dialogue addressing developments in regional and international affairs and prospects for bilateral cooperation in various fields, within the framework of their shared keenness to continue political dialogue and strengthen relations between the two countries.
It added that Macron will arrive in Syria accompanied by a delegation that includes investors and representatives of French companies, in an indication of France’s desire to encourage investment in Syria.
A French diplomatic source previously told Enab Baladi that the French Foreign Ministry is working to encourage, urge, and reassure French companies that wish to invest in Syria.
The diplomat said during a session with journalists attended by Enab Baladi, “We have tools to push and strengthen this direction in cooperation with the French Ministry of Economy.”
In February, the French Ministry of Economy opened the door for companies to submit their ideas and projects. The source said this is a first stage that allows companies to make their decision, adding that afterward, there are tools through which guarantees can be provided, especially regarding exports to Syria.
The diplomat added, “Today we are coordinating with French companies present here, and we are in contact with the Syrian French Business Council. The idea is to organize an official meeting of the Syrian French Business Council with French and Syrian companies present.”
Key Files on the Table
Agence France-Presse said the major files that may see Syrian French discussion during Macron’s visit to Syria could include efforts to combat the Islamic State, as well as the presence of French jihadists on Syrian territory.
The agency added that France holds views that differ from the American vision regarding a Syrian role in Lebanon to “deal” with Iran backed Hezbollah, noting that Paris does not encourage such a role inside Lebanon.
US President Donald Trump had spoken on more than one occasion recently about the possibility that Damascus could play a role in the war against Lebanese Hezbollah.
Damascus announced its rejection of proposals to play a military role in Lebanon, stressing its focus on strengthening relations with the Lebanese government based on mutual respect for sovereignty.
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