Macron and the President of Syria met in Paris
Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, welcomed Ahmad Al-Shara, the interim President of Syria, in Paris on Wednesday, May 6th.
This is Al-Shara’s first trip to Europe since he took office in Syria.
The Élysée Palace announced in a statement that this meeting is part of France’s historic commitment to the Syrian people who aspire for peace and democracy.
A French official said that Macron hopes this meeting is a step towards a free, stable, independent Syria that respects all components of Syrian society.
He also added that France is aware of the past of some current Syrian leaders and wants no tolerance for the terrorist movements active in Syria.
Al-Shara is trying to have the European Union sanctions, imposed during the rule of the ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, lifted.
The European Union has asked Damascus to provide tangible signs of commitment to improving the human rights situation in Syria for this to happen.