Syria and France Hold Talks in Paris on Bilateral Ties and Reconstruction
In an effort to strengthen diplomatic communication and advance bilateral relations, the Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Qutaiba Qadish, held a meeting with the French Presidential Advisor for the Middle East and North Africa, Dora Katouti, at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
The discussions focused on strategies to enhance cooperation between the two countries, with a primary emphasis on following up on understandings reached during French President Emmanuel Macron’s previous visit to Damascus. This meeting marks a concrete step toward translating high-level political understandings into practical projects that serve the mutual interests of both nations.
Both sides reached an agreement to develop a joint execution plan aimed at transforming these understandings into realistic action programs. The talks covered several critical areas, most notably the reactivation of banking cooperation between relevant financial institutions. Additionally, the parties discussed creating the necessary conditions to encourage investment and facilitate the operations of French companies within the Syrian market.
A significant portion of the dialogue was dedicated to activating the role of French development institutions to contribute effectively to reconstruction efforts, a file to which Syrian authorities are attaching high priority at this stage.
In a related context, the officials explored ways for France to support the Syrian Partnership Coordination Forum. This initiative aims to organize international and local efforts to develop infrastructure and strengthen the economy. Both parties emphasized the importance of fostering political support to ensure stability in Syria and establishing the necessary frameworks to assist reconstruction processes, which will facilitate the recovery of service and development sectors.
This meeting reflects a sustained desire from both sides to keep channels of dialogue open and to further develop mechanisms for joint coordination. The objective remains to fulfill the developmental and political goals agreed upon by Syria and France, with a particular focus on economic and technical aspects essential for the post-conflict phase.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
