Syria’s Sharaa heads to France on first EU trip as Macron eyes influence
The visit follows Syria’s new government striking a deal with a major French company for the operation of the Latakia port, as well as bouts of sectarian violence in the country.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will travel to Paris Wednesday on an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron, marking the first visit for Sharaa to any Western country since assuming the presidency this January. The invite comes as Paris seeks to expand its influence in post-Assad Syria.
A readout from the French president’s office said that Macron will “reiterate France’s support for the construction of a new Syria, a free, stable, sovereign Syria that respects all components of Syrian society.”
Macron will additionally stress “his demands on the Syrian government, primarily the stabilization of the region, including Lebanon, and the fight against terrorism.”
Macron became the first European leader to speak with the rebel-leader-turned-president in a phone call in February. The French president expressed his support for Syria’s political transition and invited Sharaa to France.
