Macron has arrived in Syria on an official visit. French President… (макрон · сирия · президент)
Macron has arrived in Syria on an official visit. French President Emmanuel Macron has traveled to Damascus for an official visit, becoming the first EU leader to visit Syria since Ahmed al-Sharaa came to power in the country, according to Western and Middle Eastern media.
Consensus
- Emmanuel Macron visited Damascus on a state visit.
- The visit occurred after the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024.
- Macron met with Syria’s transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa.
- The purpose of the visit included discussions on reconstruction and economic cooperation.
- Macron was accompanied by French business leaders, including executives from TotalEnergies and CMA CGM.
- This visit followed a prior meeting in May 2025 when al-Sharaa visited Paris.
- A joint statement or memorandum of understanding is expected to be signed during the visit.
- The visit took place on July 6, 2025.
- Macron was greeted at Damascus International Airport by Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani.
Points of divergence
- Macron became the first head of state to visit Syria after Assad's fall, according to Reuters. — kommersant
- This is the first visit by a European Union leader to Syria since al-Sharaa took power. — interfax
- The last time a French president visited Syria was in 2009 under Nicolas Sarkozy. — vedomosti
- Macron wore dark sunglasses during the visit, which sparked speculation about personal reasons, including a possible comment from his wife or a medical condition such as a ruptured blood vessel. — vesti
Coverage (6 sources)
- Macron becomes the first Western leader to visit Syria after Assad's ouster — Коммерсантъ
- In Syria, Macron Again Wears Dark Glasses — Вести
- Macron arrives in Syria on an official visit — Интерфакс
- Macron arrives in Damascus on an official visit — Ведомости
- French President Visits Syria for the First Time in 17 Years — Ведомости
- French President Visits Syria for the First Time in 17 Years — Коммерсантъ