Syria, France say want Damascus to emerge as transit hub

DAMASCUS: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday they were aiming for Damascus to become a transit hub for global trade, as countries look for alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz.

During an economic forum on Syria’s post-war reconstruction attended by Macron in the Syrian capital, Sharaa said that “after the Strait of Hormuz crisis, the world realises the value of safe and stable corridors”.

“Here the importance is highlighted of the geography of Syria, which today has regained its vital role as an indispensable link in the global corridors market,” he added.

“We want France to be our primary partner on this path.”

Sharaa said “the strategic partnership that we are establishing today with France… is the model we want for the relationship with Europe and with the whole world.”

Macron, on the second day of a visit to Damascus accompanied by several heads of major French companies, said he hoped to “make Syria a long-term regional hub”.

“That is to say, a place where broader strategies can be developed and, in particular, where new logistics chains can be built and energy or data routes can be constructed”, Macron added.

The French leader said such a hub would “reduce the risks inherent in the functioning of the region today and what is still happening, even if at a lesser intensity, in the Strait of Hormuz”.

But he stressed that Syria was facing several challenges in maintaining stability and spurring reconstruction.

“The opportunities and interests of French companies are aligned with this challenge,” Macron said.

The two countries signed a number of bilateral agreements during the forum, although French investors appeared to be approaching the opportunities with caution.

In May last year, Syria signed a 30-year contract with French logistics giant CMA CGM worth €230 million.

A year later, it signed a memorandum of understanding with ConocoPhillips, France’s TotalEnergies and Qatar’s QatarEnergy regarding offshore oil and gas exploration.

Addressing the French delegation at Tuesday’s forum, Sharaa said “what we are asking of you today is to build and develop real and organic partnerships with the Syrian private sector.”

“And most importantly, we hope to move today from memoranda of intent to executive contracts with specific timetables.”