Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa held a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday on the sidelines of the informal gathering of EU heads of state and regional partners in Nicosia, Cyprus. The meeting, which took place at the Filoxenia Conference Center, was also attended by Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani.
EU Leaders Pledge Stronger Ties with Syria
European Union leaders vowed on Friday to build closer ties with Syria following their discussions with Al-Sharaa. European Council President Antonio Costa acknowledged the important steps taken by Syria to rebuild the nation and expressed support for a peaceful and inclusive Syria. Al-Sharaa’s presence in Nicosia marked a new chapter in relations between Brussels and Damascus after the ouster of Bashar Assad in December 2024.
Upcoming High-Level Dialogue in Brussels
The EU and Syria are preparing for a new round of talks with a high-level political dialogue scheduled for May 11 in Brussels. Al-Sharaa described the Nicosia meeting as a solid start that paves the way for the major event in Brussels. The EU has sought to help bolster Syria as it rebuilds after the civil war, and Brussels has proposed restarting the cooperation agreement with Damascus, which abolishes customs duties on imports of most industrial products from Syria.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that the May gathering could pave the way for a possible future association agreement. She reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting the revival of Syria’s economy and the reconciliation of its society. In January, von der Leyen announced a €620-million ($730 million) two-year financial support package during a visit to Damascus. The bloc has also dropped economic sanctions to assist the Syrian authorities.
Macron Highlights EU Defense Clause
President Macron, who has been co-leading international conferences on military cooperation alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer outside of NATO, emphasized that the EU’s mutual defense clause under Article 42.7 of the Treaty of the EU is stronger than NATO’s Article 5. He stated that the clause is unambiguous and leaves no option but solidarity among member countries.
