Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Monday welcomed France's "constructive" role in Syria, saying in an interview with French channel BFM TV that Paris has been among "friends of the Syrian people" since the fall of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
Al-Sharaa, who was receiving his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Damascus, said that "France was considered a friend of the Syrian people during the Syrian revolution, and was supportive of the Syrian revolution's course, for the people to obtain their freedom and dignity from the tyranny of the former regime," adding that there had been "a constructive role" played by France since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's rule.
The Syrian president said that Macron's visit — the first by a leader of a major Western country since al-Sharaa assumed power in Damascus in late 2024, following the ousting of Assad's rule — "represents an important development in the relationship between the two countries." He noted that his country has enormous needs because "there has been very extensive destruction during the war that lasted 14 years."
He added that there are "many sectors in which Syria needs to partner with many advanced companies," stressing that his country represents "a very large investment opportunity through the reconstruction of the infrastructure that was destroyed."
He anticipated that France would participate in rebuilding infrastructure in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, and industry, noting that Syria "is currently concluding a major contract for eight Airbus aircraft" to be requested from the European aviation manufacturer.
Al-Sharaa said he is a partner who shares "the same goals" that the Europeans and France are pursuing.