Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa met with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday during an informal gathering of European Union heads of state and regional partners in Nicosia, Cyprus. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the event, which was hosted at the Filoxenia Conference Center under the invitation of Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and European Council President Antonio Costa.

Accompanied by Syria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Assad Hassan Al-Shaibani, Al-Sharaa participated in the proceedings aimed at fostering regional stability and enhancing international cooperation to tackle shared challenges. In his address, Al-Sharaa emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to support stability in the Middle East.

European leaders expressed a readiness to strengthen ties with Syria following discussions with Al-Sharaa. Costa acknowledged the progress Syria has made toward reconstruction and voiced support for the country’s pursuit of a peaceful and inclusive future. "We support your efforts toward a peaceful and inclusive Syria," Costa said after their meeting.

Al-Sharaa’s attendance marked a notable development in relations between Damascus and Brussels since the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024. The meeting precedes a scheduled "high-level political dialogue" slated to begin in Brussels on May 11, aimed at advancing bilateral relations.

“What we have accomplished today is a solid start that paves the way for the major event in Brussels,” Al-Sharaa stated, highlighting optimism for the upcoming talks. The European Union, composed of 27 member states, has been seeking to assist Syria’s recovery following the prolonged civil conflict.

Earlier in the week, EU officials proposed a full resumption of the bloc’s cooperation agreement with Damascus, which includes the removal of customs duties on most industrial imports from Syria. The EU is also working toward negotiating a more comprehensive agreement to bolster economic and political collaboration.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen indicated that the May dialogue could open pathways toward a potential future association agreement between the EU and Syria, signaling a new phase in their diplomatic relationship.