President Macron’s visit was deeply marked by several special factors. It was the first time a Western European head of state had visited Syria since the new government came to power and also the first time a French president had visited Syria in nearly 20 years.
The visit opened a new phase for a relationship built on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit. During the visit, both sides agreed to begin the process of exchanging resident ambassadors between Damascus and Paris as soon as possible, marking the normalisation of diplomatic relations.
This is not the first time France has shown particular interest and taken the lead in strengthening relations with the new government in Damascus. In 2025, President Emmanuel Macron will be the first head of state in the European Union (EU) to directly engage in dialogue with Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. France will also be the first European country to welcome Ahmed al-Sharaa on a visit as the leader of Syria. These steps show that Paris is proactively normalising relations and drawing closer to Damascus.
There are many reasons why France pays special attention to Syria. First and foremost are the economic benefits. In the process of rebuilding the country after more than 10 years of devastation caused by a painful and devastating civil war, Syria is seeking international partners in various sectors such as aviation, tourism, industry, agriculture, and banking. This presents an opportunity for French businesses to expand their presence and participate in the economic recovery and reconstruction process in Syria.
Looking at the delegation, which included many key French investors and businesses such as the energy group Total and the shipping group CMA CGM, it is clear that promoting economic cooperation was one of President Macron’s top priorities during his visit to Syria.
With a series of cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between the two countries, analysts believe that the visit of the “master” of the Elysee Palace achieved its stated goals.
Agreements spanning key areas such as infrastructure, transport, logistics, finance, culture, and heritage preservation are the first “building blocks”, laying a solid foundation for extensive French involvement in the reconstruction of Syria.
Along with economics, consolidating its position on the strategic chessboard of Syria, as well as the Middle East in general, is also a matter of concern for Paris. Efforts to expand influence are being driven by the decline of France’s international role, especially in Africa — which has been considered Paris’s “backyard” for decades.
Tensions between France and several African countries have escalated to the point where the military government of Burkina Faso recently announced the severance of diplomatic relations with Paris. The erosion of influence on the African continent has left a significant void in France's international standing, forcing it to seek new avenues to compensate.
In this context, strengthening its influence in Syria is seen as a necessary step for France to consolidate its position in the Middle East. With its strategically important location on the eastern Mediterranean coast, bordering five Middle Eastern countries and situated at the crossroads of three continents — Asia, Europe, and Africa — Syria is not only a crucial link shaping the regional political landscape but also a gateway for trade connecting the Middle East and Europe.
From another perspective, the relationship between France and Syria is one of reciprocity. For Syria, hosting the French President marks a significant diplomatic milestone. In the context of Damascus seeking to reintegrate into the international community and rebuild the country after years of siege and sanctions, support from international partners like France is particularly important.
France is one of the leading countries supporting the new Syrian government and promoting the easing of sanctions to facilitate Syria’s economic recovery. According to Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, France is a reliable partner that can assist Syria in its reconstruction efforts.
President Emmanuel Macron’s visit has opened the door to a new phase of cooperation between France and Syria. However, to realise the stated goals and write a successful cooperation story, the two countries will still have to overcome many challenges, especially as the security situation in Syria remains unstable.
