Damascus, July 6 (SANA)President Ahmad al-Sharaasaid French PresidentEmmanuel Macron‘s visit toSyriamarks an important milestone in bilateral relations and reflectsFrance‘s longstanding support for the Syrian people since the Syrian revolution, describing the visit as significant at this stage of Syria’s post-liberation history.

In an interview with French television channelBFMTVon Monday, President al-Sharaa said Macron had maintained contact with the Syrian leadership since the country’s liberation and that France had played a constructive role in supporting the lifting of sanctions on Syria.

The president recalled his visit to France last year, saying he received a warm welcome from Macron. He added that Syria had overcome many challenges and established distinguished international relations with numerous countries, noting that France had contributed to Syria’s renewed engagement with the international community.

President al-Sharaa said Macron’s visit represents an important development in relations between the two countries as Syria enters the reconstruction phase. He noted that Syria possesses significant potential but requires cooperation with technologically advanced countries, describing France as one of the world’s leading nations in technology and reconstruction.

“We are building state institutions in Syria and establishing numerous partnerships, including in the aviation sector, as well as tourism, agriculture and industry,” President al-Sharaa said. “France will contribute to infrastructure, industry, the financial sector and institutional restructuring, and there are many sectors in which it can play a role.”

On migration, President al-Sharaa said Syria had significantly reduced outward migration caused by the deposed regime, adding that 1.5 million displaced Syrians had returned to the country following the liberation.

Addressing drug trafficking, President al-Sharaa said the deposed regime had been actively involved in the production and trade of narcotics. He added that since arriving in Damascus, the new authorities had worked to dismantle drug production and trafficking networks.

President al-Sharaa also said Macron’s visit would witness the signing of several agreements, noting that rebuilding the Syrian state requires investment in energy, industry, human resources, reconstruction, and the restructuring of state institutions.

The President said Syria had signed several energy agreements over the past year to modernize electricity generation facilities and added that major reconstruction priorities remain, with allied countries able to contribute through investment.

President al-Sharaa said the large-scale projects currently planned in Syria present opportunities for foreign companies to participate in the country’s reconstruction.

Macron arrived in Syria on Monday evening on the first visit by a French president since 2009, marking what Syrian officials described as a new phase in Syrian-French relations based on mutual respect and equal partnership.MHD