ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday received Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa during his first visit to Europe, in a meeting to reaffirm France’s support for Syria’s political transition.
In a joint presser following their meeting, Macron said that “everyone was satisfied with the fall of Bashar al-Assad, and today the Syrians should be united to achieve peace and stability.”
The French leader further called for respect for Syria’s sovereignty and urged international support for the conflict-ridden nation, revealing that the EU will “gradually” lift sanctions on Syria.
“We salute the steps taken by President Sharaa to agree with the Syrian Democratic Forces and ensure civil peace,” Macron added, lauding the agreement with the Kurdish-led force on March 10.
Sharaa and SDF chief Mazloum Abdi signed a landmark agreement on March 10 to integrate the SDF into the state apparatus. The agreement recognizes the Kurds as an integral part of Syria, includes a countrywide ceasefire, and stipulates the return of displaced Syrians to their hometowns.
During the presser, the Syrian leader thanked Macron for the visit and for accepting Syrian refugees throughout the course of the brutal Syrian civil war.
“France was a friend of the Syrian people and stood beside them throughout the years of the revolution,” Sharaa affirmed.
He said that his meeting with Macron discussed Syria’s reconstruction and ways to develop the country.
“We realize that the post-revolution period is difficult, and we collectively try to absorb the end of an authoritation rule that used sectarianism and terror as a weapon against Syrian society for 54 years,” Sharaa continued, referring to the country’s previous Baathist regime.
On Tuesday, the Elysee Palace said that the meeting was part of France's "historic commitment" to the Syrian people and to reaffirm French support for a "stable, secure, and sovereign Syria."
French President Emmanuel Macron receives Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) May 7, 2025
📸: AFP pic.twitter.com/TcbQfsgzxN
Macron had first invited Sharaa to visit France in February after the Syrian interim leader assumed the presidency. He also congratulated him in a phone call, according to the Syrian presidency at the time.
France remains cautiously optimistic about Syria’s ongoing political transition following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December. Paris has taken an active role in diplomatic engagement and humanitarian assistance, while emphasizing the need for an inclusive political process and the protection of minority rights.
Last week, France condemned the recent sectarian violence that targeted Syria’s Druze community south of Damascus, with clashes having left over 100 dead, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Several Western countries, primarily France and Germany, have been actively engaged with the Syrian government, but have warned that the recent lifting of some sanctions imposed on Assad's regime is conditional on forming an inclusive government.
Sharaa, formerly the leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now serves as Syria’s interim president after leading the rebel coalition that toppled Assad. He has repeatedly pledged to uphold the rights of all Syrians.
The international community has expressed concern that the new Islamist authorities in Damascus may impose strict Islamic rule in Syria, threatening the country’s minority groups, such as Kurds, Druze, Christians, and Alawites.
Updated at 8:55 pm
