The Syrian Arab Republic today recovered 23 artifacts that had been loaned to the Arab World Institute in Paris since 2010, after their repatriation had been impossible in recent years due to the severance of Syrian-French relations. The Syrian Foreign Ministry stated in a press release that the recovered artifacts originate from museums in Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia, and Palmyra, and noted that it was decided to transport them to Syria aboard the French presidential aircraft. The Ministry affirmed that this step marks the beginning of an ongoing process to recover Syrian artifacts abroad, as part of efforts to preserve national heritage and safeguard archaeological collections. The recovery of these pieces coincides with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Damascus, which included talks with Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara, as well as the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two countries.