First of the EU leaders: Macron arrived on a visit to Syria

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived on a visit to Damascus. He became the first leader of an EU state to travel to Syria since the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime on December 8, 2024.

Macron, who was met at the airport by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, will hold talks with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. “This is an important stage in the restoration of Syria’s international influence,” SANA described the visit.

“I am here to reaffirm France’s commitment to the Syrian people, a sovereign Syria, united in its diversity, which exists at peace with its neighbors. Together we will open a new page of peace and stability,” Macron wrote after landing.

France considers Syria and Lebanon to be its zone of interests. One of the main topics of the negotiations will be the restoration of the country after the civil war. Macron is accompanied by a delegation of representatives of the business community.

We add that the first foreign leader to visit Syria after the regime change was the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim al-Hamad al-Thani, in January 2025. In 2026, the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky visited Damascus.