Syrian Leader’s Paris Visit Seeks Sanctions Relief and Investment
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa made his first official visit to Europe since taking power in late 2024, seeking to rebuild relations with the West and attract international investment. Reporting for The Media Line, Rizik Alabi explains that al-Sharaa—formerly a leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a group previously tied to al-Qaida—received a special travel exemption from the United Nations to visit France, where he met with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The visit signals Syria’s push to re-enter the global diplomatic arena after more than a decade of isolation and civil war.
Talks between the two leaders focused on Syria’s reconstruction, protection of minority rights, counterterrorism cooperation, and potential easing of European sanctions, which are up for renewal in June. While France has restored limited diplomatic representation in Damascus and recently signed an agreement for a French firm to expand Latakia’s port, officials remain cautious. French support, they say, hinges on Syria’s progress in political reform and inclusion of minority groups.
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Skepticism remains, especially regarding al-Sharaa’s militant past and his government’s stance toward communities such as the Druze and Alawites. Analysts see the trip as a calculated effort to gain legitimacy and access badly needed economic aid.
France, which governed Syria under a post–World War I mandate and was a top trade partner until the 2011 uprising, is positioned to play a key role—if conditions are met. Alabi reports that the path forward depends on real changes in governance and human rights.
To understand the deeper stakes of al-Sharaa’s Paris visit and what it means for Syria’s future, read Rizik Alabi’s full report at The Media Line.
