French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Monday that he came to Damascus to 'affirm France's commitment to stand by the Syrian people for a sovereign Syria, united in its diversity, and enjoying peace with its neighbors,' according to the German news agency citing 'Syria TV'.

Macron added: 'Let us together open a new page of stability and peace,' in a reference to Paris's desire to push for a new phase of relations with Syria, based on supporting the political process and promoting stability and openness to all components of Syrian society.

According to an official statement from the Élysée Palace, Macron is visiting Syria on July 6 and 7, a year after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to France, which the statement described as the first visit by a European Union head of state to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime.

The Élysée confirmed that the visit comes as a continuation of 'France's unwavering support for the Syrian people,' noting that the French president will renew his country's commitment to Syria's unity and to the principle of a comprehensive and pluralistic political transition that guarantees the rights, security, and representation of all segments of Syrian society.

The visit follows a series of French contacts and positions in which Paris emphasized support for Syria's unity and sovereignty, the importance of moving forward on a political path that fulfills the aspirations of Syrians, alongside support for stability efforts and rebuilding relations between the two countries.

President Macron arrived in Syria earlier on Monday, in the first visit by a major Western leader to the country under its new leadership.

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Macron on a visit to Damascus

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Macron on a visit to Damascus

What does Macron's visit to Syria agenda contain?

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What does Macron's visit to Syria agenda contain?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had visited Syria last April, but Macron is the first leader from Western Europe or North America to take this step.

The French president's visit comes during a period of relative calm in the Middle East after a month-long war in Iran and Lebanon, and ahead of his attendance at the NATO summit scheduled in the Turkish capital Ankara.

The official Syrian news agency (SANA) reported that Macron is visiting the country accompanied by a delegation of businessmen to discuss regional security, as well as to explore business and investment opportunities.

Macron was received upon his arrival at Damascus airport by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani.

It is worth noting that Macron hosted al-Sharaa in Paris in May 2025, where he urged European and American leaders to lift the long-standing sanctions on Damascus, most of which have since been removed.