Syria Expects Macron Visit, First by a Western European Leader Since Assad's Ouster
Syria on Sunday announced that it expects a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, the first by a Western European head of state since the 2024 toppling of longtime ruler Bashar Assad. The announcement was made by state news agency SANA, citing the Syrian presidency's media office.
According to the statement, “Macron is expected to visit Syria to discuss ways of strengthening bilateral relations and issues of common interest.” No specific date for the visit was provided.
Background of the Bilateral Relations
Macron previously met with Syria's interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa at the UN headquarters in September 2025, according to an AFP file photo. That meeting was seen as a tentative step toward normalizing ties after years of conflict and diplomatic isolation.
If confirmed, the visit would mark the first by a Western European head of state since the fall of Assad in 2024, signaling a potential shift in international engagement with Syria's new leadership.
Topics to Be Discussed
The discussions are expected to cover strengthening bilateral relations and issues of common interest, though no further details were released. The visit could address economic cooperation, reconstruction efforts, and political stability in the region.
France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has maintained a cautious stance toward Syria since the civil war began. The visit would represent a significant diplomatic development for Syria's interim government.
