Syria

Political relations

France is working alongside the European Union to be constructive and open to the promises of the new regime to achieve a peaceful and rigorous transition towards peace and stability for the Syrian people. On 3 January 2025, under an EU mandate, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, along with his German counterpart, travelled to Syria for the first time since the evacuation of the French Embassy on 6 March 2012. On that occasion, he recalled that France’s priorities were the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles under the supervision of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the negotiation of a political solution in agreement with the Kurdish forces in north-eastern Syria, and the restoration of a sovereign, stable and peaceful Syria.

The International Paris Conference for Syria on 13 February 2025 brought together representatives from the new Syrian regime, France and its European and international partners to coordinate efforts for restoring peace, security and effective and democratic sovereignty to Syria.

The President of the French Republic travelled to Syria on 6 and 7 July 2026. On that occasion, a comprehensive partnership agreement was signed by the French Foreign Minister and his Syrian counterpart. On 7 May 2025, President Emmanuel Macron received President al-Sharaa at the Élysée Palace. President Macron recalled France’s priorities, including firm commitments from the new regime to uphold international law, provide security for all Syrians and prosecute the perpetrators of inter-faith violence through established legal procedures. The French President expressed support for the phasing out of European sanctions as Syria becomes more stable, which must be based on rebuilding infrastructure and economic recovery.