Content of recent meeting between Macron, al-Sharaa in Damascus

Interim Prime Minister Ahmed al-Sharaa met with French President Emmanuel Macron today at the People’s Palace in Damascus to discuss prospects for enhancing economic cooperation and building a strategic partnership between the two countries, with officials and business leaders from both sides attending.

The two sides stressed that the anticipated partnership would be based on shared interests and aimed at supporting reconstruction efforts, particularly in the sectors of transportation, energy, water, airports, banking, food industries, and digital infrastructure, while also exploring broader cooperation opportunities involving Gulf countries.

Syria as a hub linking trade corridors

Al-Sharaa said Syria seeks to open a new chapter of economic partnership, noting that its geographic location qualifies it to become a hub connecting trade corridors between the Mediterranean, the Gulf, and Iraq. He emphasized that the country is working to establish a modern investment environment based on laws and institutions.

He pointed to French investments in the Port of Latakia as a model of cooperation between the two countries, noting that the reconstruction plan includes developing ports, airports, energy and electricity networks, and water infrastructure, as well as modernizing digital infrastructure, the healthcare sector, and food industries, in addition to exploring energy resources in Syrian territorial waters.

In May, Syria signed a memorandum of understanding with US-based ConocoPhillips, France’s TotalEnergies, and Qatar’s QatarEnergy to explore oil and gas resources in Syrian territorial waters.

Formation of joint economic committees

For his part, French President Macron announced that the next phase would see the formation of joint economic committees to support Syria’s reconstruction, stressing France’s readiness to participate in projects in the energy and banking sectors and to build partnerships in cooperation with Gulf countries.

Macron said France would continue to stand alongside the Syrian people, adding that Syria faces major challenges but also has promising opportunities for French companies and investors.

The French president also said he met earlier in the day with representatives of various Syrian communities and saw in them courage, dignity, and determination, reaffirming France’s commitment to supporting Syria’s unity and stability.

Meanwhile, Economy and Industry Minister Nidal al-Shaar said the interim government hopes to see an active French presence in the sectors of industry, transportation, infrastructure, education, and healthcare, in a way that creates added value for the economies of both countries.

Talal al-Hilali, head of the interim government’s Investment Authority, described the meeting as an important milestone in building a modern economy based on partnerships and investment.

Syria as an alternative oil route to the Strait of Hormuz

Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of TotalEnergies, told reporters on the sidelines of the visit that Syria could become an “important transit country” for Iraqi oil heading toward the Mediterranean and provide “alternative routes” to the Strait of Hormuz.

He said that, “It is a country located at the crossroads of the Middle East,” adding that “what happened in the Strait of Hormuz” during the joint US-Israeli war on Iran “has also increased Syria’s importance,” as it has become “clear that if we want to invest in the Middle East, we will have to find alternative routes.”

A-H 

ANHA