Damascus, July 10 (SANA)Syria witnessed a series of major diplomatic, political, and security developments over the past week, highlighted byFrench President Emmanuel Macron‘s visit to Damascus, a move that opened a new chapter in Syrian-French relations and expanded cooperation across multiple sectors.

The week also saw the U.S. begin legal procedures to remove Syria from its list of State Sponsors of Terrorism following a meeting betweenPresident Ahmad al-SharaaandU.S. President Donald Trumpin Ankara.

At the same time, Syria regained all of its rights and privileges within the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), while security forces arrested the terrorist cell responsible for the recent bombings in Damascus, underscoring progress in Syria’s international reintegration alongside continued efforts to strengthen domestic security.

Macron’s visit ushers in a new phase in Syrian-French relations

President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Damascus marked a significant milestone in Syrian-French relations, becoming the first visit by a French president since 2009 and the culmination of months of diplomatic contacts that paved the way for a new partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.

During the visit, President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Macron chaired a high-level roundtable meeting that resulted in the signing of a comprehensive cooperation framework, the establishment of joint economic committees, and the conclusion of investment agreements and memoranda of understanding covering energy, banking, infrastructure, water, healthcare, aviation, air navigation, and ports.

Macron said France was prepared to support Syria’s reconstruction efforts, announcing the formation of expanded joint economic committees that will work alongside Gulf partners on reconstruction projects.

He also said Paris would support Syria within international financial institutions to help finance reconstruction projects, facilitate the restoration of banking services, and encourage greater participation by French companies in investment and reconstruction initiatives.

Ambassadors, recovered assets, and cultural heritage

The two sides agreed to launch a process leading to the exchange of resident ambassadors between Damascus and Paris, paving the way for the full normalization of diplomatic relations.

They also signed a declaration of intent that lays the groundwork for the first repatriation of Syrian assets confiscated abroad and their allocation to projects benefiting the Syrian people.

France further announced its readiness to return more than €50 million identified as illicit gains linked to a member of the deposed regime’s family, in addition to repatriating 23 Syrian archaeological artifacts.

Washington begins process to remove Syria from terrorism list

In another major diplomatic development, President Trump announced that he had notified Congress of the commencement of legal procedures to remove Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, a designation imposed since 1979.

The announcement followed Trump’s meeting with President al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara. Trump said the decision will undergo a 45-day congressional review before taking final effect.

In a message sent to President al-Sharaa, Trump said the move is intended to remove obstacles to Syria’s reconstruction and noted that American companies are prepared to invest in the country and contribute to its economic recovery.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the decision as a historic step that would create new opportunities for Syria’s recovery and economic development.

Syria welcomed the announcement, saying the removal of the designation, alongside the lifting of sanctions, would support economic recovery, facilitate reconstruction, encourage trade and investment, and contribute to regional stability.

The U.S. move also received broad Arab and international support as an important step toward accelerating reconstruction and strengthening stability.

As part of an active diplomatic agenda, President Ahmad al-Sharaa held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his visit to Ankara on ways to strengthen bilateral relations and discuss regional and international developments.

Al-Sharaa also met with a delegation of U.S. members of Congress and U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq Thomas Barrack, with discussions focusing on support for Syria’s reconstruction efforts, economic recovery, and expanding international cooperation.

Syria also strengthened its international standing after regaining all rights and privileges within the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

The OPCW Executive Council adopted, by consensus, a decision restoring Syria’s rights under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said the decision reflected Syria’s progress in fulfilling its obligations and its constructive cooperation with the OPCW Technical Secretariat in addressing the legacy of the chemical weapons program inherited from the ousted regime.

Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani described the restoration of Syria’s rights as a historic milestone signaling the country’s return to the international community.

Syria’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW, Mohammed Ktoub, said the decision demonstrated tangible progress in implementing Syria’s commitments and enhancing cooperation with the organization.

Britain welcomed the decision, while U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq Thomas Barrack congratulated Syria, saying the move reflected the Syrian government’s significant progress and responsible engagement with the international community.

Security operation dismantles Damascus bombing cell

On the security front, Interior Minister Anas Khattab announced the arrest of the terrorist cell responsible for the July 7 bombings in Damascus, which killed one person and injured 36 others.

Khattab said authorities will disclose the identities of the suspects, their roles, and organizational links once investigations are completed.

Brig. Gen. Ahmad al-Dalati, commander of Internal Security in Damascus Countryside, said preliminary investigations indicated that the cell is affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS).

He said security agencies launched an immediate investigation in coordination with the General Intelligence Service, relying on surveillance camera footage and other evidence to identify one suspect before tracking down the remaining members of the network.

Advancing internationally while boosting security

The developments of the past week reflect parallel progress on both the diplomatic and domestic fronts, as Syria expanded its political and economic partnerships, restored its standing within international institutions, and advanced efforts to remove obstacles to reconstruction and recovery, while continuing operations against terrorist cells and reinforcing national security and stability.