Macron's visit to Syria confirms normalisation strategy of post-Assad government

Syria is expecting its first Western European head of state since new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa swept to power in 2024. A Syrian state news agency reported that France's Emmanuel Macron will visit to discuss strengthening bilateral relations. It wouldn't be the first time the two have met. In May 2025, Macron welcomed al-Sharaa to the Élysée Palace, where they discussed issues of security and Macron addressed the interreligious violence in Syria.