Paris links reconstruction with trade and energy.
DAMASCUS, SYRIA — July 2026. French President Emmanuel Macron has offered France’s support to help Syria rebuild its economy and eventually become a regional center for logistics, commerce and energy transportation. Speaking alongside Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at an economic forum in Damascus, Macron called for a durable partnership capable of creating employment and attracting international investment. The meeting reflected a significant diplomatic shift following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024.
Macron said Syria’s geographical position could allow it to connect the Mediterranean with Iraq, the Persian Gulf and other regional markets. He argued that new logistics chains and energy corridors could reduce the vulnerabilities currently affecting trade across the Middle East. Recent tensions around the Strait of Hormuz were cited as evidence of the need to diversify transportation and energy routes. French companies could participate in developing those alternatives.
The French president emphasized that economic reconstruction must produce opportunities for Syrians displaced inside the country and refugees living abroad. Restoring infrastructure, employment and essential services could create conditions for voluntary returns and greater national stability. Macron described Syria’s recovery as a long-term process requiring security, transparent institutions and cooperation with international partners.
France has supported the progressive removal of sanctions imposed on Syria and encouraged other governments, including the United States, to reconsider restrictions that obstruct legitimate investment. Macron said international confidence will depend heavily on the creation of a reliable and transparent financial system. He offered French technical assistance to reform Syrian banking institutions, strengthen cooperation with the central bank and improve compliance with international financial standards.
The proposed reforms could also involve discussions with the International Monetary Fund, the Financial Action Task Force and the Paris Club of creditor nations. Syria must address debt restructuring, financial transparency and regulatory modernization before it can fully reconnect with global capital markets. Al-Sharaa said his government is working to provide foreign investors with a secure and predictable business environment. He presented the partnership with France as a possible model for Syria’s future relations with Europe.
French maritime company CMA CGM has already become a major participant in Syria’s infrastructure plans. The group previously agreed to invest €230 million in developing the port of Latakia and later expanded the project by another €200 million. The objective is to increase the terminal’s capacity to approximately 625,000 containers before the end of 2026.
Additional agreements involve air-cargo operations at Damascus International Airport and the management of two inland logistics terminals. TotalEnergies is also exploring possible cooperation in Syria’s offshore energy sector. French executives have shown interest in regional infrastructure such as the Kirkuk-Baniyas pipeline, which could transport Iraqi oil toward the Mediterranean and reduce dependence on routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Al-Sharaa outlined a broader reconstruction program encompassing ports, airports, electricity networks, water systems, digital public services and industrial cities. His government is also seeking investment for energy exploration and improved air-navigation infrastructure. The Syrian president said France could become the country’s principal partner in restoring its economic role between Europe, the Mediterranean and the Gulf.
Macron’s visit marked the first trip by a European Union leader to Syria since Assad’s removal. France and Syria also moved toward fully restoring diplomatic relations through the appointment of ambassadors. The visit demonstrated Paris’s willingness to engage directly with the new Syrian leadership while continuing to demand sovereignty, pluralism and protection for the country’s diverse communities.
The diplomatic agenda continued despite two explosions near the Damascus hotel where Macron had been staying. At least 18 people, including four police officers, were injured, although the French president was meeting Al-Sharaa at the presidential palace when the devices detonated. No organization immediately claimed responsibility, and Syrian authorities opened an investigation.
The attack highlighted the security risks facing reconstruction efforts after years of war and political fragmentation. International companies are unlikely to make large, sustained investments without stronger guarantees regarding stability, contracts and physical safety. France’s proposal therefore combines infrastructure development with institutional reform and security cooperation.
Syria’s geography offers opportunity, but stability will determine whether it becomes reality.