French President Urges Inclusive Political Solution in Syria, Calls for Good-Faith Talks with SDF

Bloomberg

French President Emmanuel Macron.

French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed on Saturday, 26 July 2025, the importance of advancing negotiations between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian authorities in good faith, emphasising the need for a comprehensive political solution and the protection of Syrian sovereignty.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), President Macron said: "I spoke with Syrian Interim President Sharaa. The recent violence in Syria highlights the extreme fragility of the transition. Civilians must be protected."

He continued: "It is imperative to prevent a recurrence of violence and to prosecute those responsible. Prosecutions are expected to be based on the report issued by the independent commission regarding the violence on the coast."

Welcoming a recent de-escalation, Macron added: "The ceasefire in Suwayda is a positive signal. A peaceful dialogue must now help achieve the objective of unifying Syria while respecting the rights of all its citizens."

President Macron also highlighted his discussion with President Sharaa on the need to engage local stakeholders within a broader national governance and security framework.

"Similarly, it is essential that negotiations between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian authorities progress in good faith. The tripartite discussions helped define the next steps yesterday," he said, adding that France remains committed to Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He noted that the two leaders had also discussed regional dynamics, including talks with Israel, and expressed mutual support for stabilisation efforts along the Syrian-Lebanese border. "France is available to support these efforts," Macron stated.

Concluding his remarks, the French President underlined the importance of President Sharaa's commitment to counterterrorism, saying: "I emphasised the importance of President Sharaa's commitment to the fight against terrorism and underscored the need for joint cooperation."

Following high-level trilateral talks in Paris, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot met on Friday, with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani, and U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, “within the framework of their close cooperation on Syria,” according to a statement from the French Foreign Ministry.

Describing the meeting as “very frank and productive,” the three sides emphasised the urgency of de-escalation and the need for renewed diplomatic engagement.

“In the spirit of dialogue and de-escalation, the United States, France, and Syria agreed on the need to engage quickly on substantial efforts to ensure the success of Syria’s transition and the unity, stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria,” the statement read.

The parties also underscored their joint commitment to the fight against terrorism. “To reinforce our cooperation on the shared fight against terrorism in all forms and strengthen the capacities of the Syrian government to deal with security challenges through institutions of the state,” it said.

On the issue of national reconciliation, the three countries expressed their support for local dialogue initiatives. “To support the Syrian government’s political transition efforts aimed at national reconciliation and cohesion, especially in northeastern Syria and Suwayda,” the statement added.

The French Foreign Ministry confirmed plans to host further consultations in Paris. “To host as soon as possible the next round of consultations in Paris between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces regarding the full implementation of the 10 March agreement,” the ministry said.

The three sides also addressed the need for justice and accountability in light of recent unrest.

A little after the tripart tripartite, the French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot met with Mazloum Abdi, Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Paris on Firday to discuss efforts toward a peaceful resolution for Syria’s unification.

According to a statement from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the meeting served to finalise plans for an upcoming negotiation session in Paris under the joint auspices of France and the United States between the Syrian transitional authorities and the Syrian Democratic Forces with a view to implementing 10 March agreement.

The statement added that the French Minister reaffirmed France’s support for a negotiated and peaceful solution for Syria’s unification, including the integration of the population of northeast Syria into the political transition process and the protection of Kurdish rights.



PUKMEDIA