By Tag Clar Editorial
Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, has recently traveled to Damascus, and this action is considered the first visit by a senior Western official since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Macron was welcomed during this visit by Assaad al-Schaibani, the Syrian Foreign Minister.
Trip Under Security Measures
The details of this trip were kept completely secret by French officials until Macron's arrival. According to officials, security reasons were the main reason for this decision. Additionally, Syrian officials had officially announced this meeting the day before the trip, but did not specify an exact date.
During this visit, Macron is expected to meet with his Syrian counterpart, Ahmad al-Shaara, and hold both informal and formal discussions. A joint press conference is also scheduled. After this meeting, Macron will head to Ankara to participate in a NATO summit.
Macron's Political Message
The Élysée Palace has announced that Macron will emphasize the importance of a "free and pluralistic Syria that respects all segments of society" and seeks to play a mediating role in Middle Eastern tensions. He has also stated that "France will never allow a dictatorship to replace another dictatorship in Syria."
The Syrian state news agency, SANA, has described this visit as "historic" and a "turning point in Syria's return to the international community," announcing that the relations between the two countries will enter a "new phase" based on mutual respect and balanced partnership.
Macron also intends to return 23 ancient artifacts that were loaned to the Arab Institute in Paris in 2010 to Syria. These items had not returned to the country due to the civil war in Syria.
This visit reflects significant changes in Western policies towards Syria and efforts to improve relations with Bashar al-Assad's government, while the security situation in the country remains complex and tense.
