The Syrian Future Movement follows with great interest and appreciation the historic visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the Syrian Arab Republic on Monday, July 6, 2026, and Tuesday, July 7, 2026, the first visit of its kind by a Western head of state to Syria since 2009.
This visit culminated in the announcement of a new phase in bilateral relations, based on mutual respect and equal partnership. It coincided with the return of 23 unique Syrian artifacts, which had been on loan to the Arab World Institute in Paris since 2011, to the National Museum in Damascus after an absence of 15 years.
The Syrian Future Movement commends this step, which ends years of diplomatic isolation and restores Syria to its rightful place as an active and influential state in international forums. It also welcomes the French President’s reaffirmation of his country’s commitment to supporting a unified and sovereign Syria, and Paris’s desire to open a new chapter in relations based on supporting the political process, strengthening stability, and engaging with all segments of Syrian society.
The Movement also welcomes the French President’s reaffirmation of his country’s commitment to supporting a unified and sovereign Syria, and Paris’s desire to open a new chapter in relations based on supporting the political process, strengthening stability, and engaging with all components of Syrian society. This visit represents the culmination of sustained diplomatic efforts and a practical implementation of the vision President Ahmed al-Sharaa declared at the United Nations regarding Syria’s transformation from “a country that exports crises to a historic opportunity for stability, peace, and prosperity.”
In this context, we note that this visit is of particular importance as it is the first by a Western head of state to Syria since the fall of the former regime, indicating a qualitative shift in the European stance towards the new Syria. We emphasize the necessity for this shift to be positive and encourage it.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that the returned collection includes unique pieces spanning various periods from prehistory to the Islamic era. These include a statue of the Megi of Mari from Tell Hariri/Mari, a fragment bearing Safaitic inscriptions, part of a Palmyrene frieze depicting a hunting scene, an intaglio inscription in the Palmyrene language, and fragments of colored frescoes from Qasr al-Hayr al-Gharbi. It is worth mentioning that these pieces were borrowed from Syrian museums in 2011 to participate in the permanent exhibition showcasing the civilization of the Arab world. Their return to their homeland today carries profound symbolic significance, representing Syria’s restoration of its cultural standing.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its unwavering support for the protection of cultural heritage and the strengthening of international relations, as published on its official website. This includes:
- The statement on the inclusion of the Umari Mosque in Daraa on the ISESCO lists (dated July 5, 2026), which emphasized that international recognition of the value of Syrian heritage supports efforts to protect and preserve it.
- The statement regarding the appointment of a new Swedish ambassador to Damascus (dated June 27, 2026) praised the European diplomatic openness and considered it a step towards strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Based on its national responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- Strengthening economic and investment cooperation by activating partnership agreements between the two countries and encouraging French companies to invest in the reconstruction, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
- Intensifying cultural and scientific cooperation by recovering more looted artifacts, organizing joint exhibitions, and exchanging expertise in the field of heritage protection, similar to the project to restore the Dura-Europos Synagogue and artifacts from Palmyra in cooperation with the international organization ALEPH.
- Enhancing political and diplomatic coordination to support Syria’s efforts to lift economic sanctions, restore its standing in international forums, and promote regional stability.
- Building on this momentum to strengthen relations with other European countries and working to open new horizons for cooperation with the European Union, in a way that contributes to achieving sustainable development and improving the lives of citizens.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its welcome of this historic visit and the return of the artifacts, and commends the diplomatic efforts that led to this achievement.
We also believe that this step constitutes international recognition of the seriousness of the path toward a new Syria, and opens new horizons for cooperation and partnership.
Furthermore, we believe that the Syrian government is now called upon to capitalize on this momentum and continue the reform process, so that the new Syria can be an active partner in the international community, capable of fulfilling its people’s aspirations for freedom, dignity, and prosperity.
