Syria and France signed on Tuesday (July 7th) a wide package of memorandums of understanding, agreements and declarations of intent at the People's Palace in Damascus, in the presence of President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.

The memoranda and agreements included the files of enhancing cooperation in the fields of economy, aviation, health, water, energy, transport and logistics, where the foreign ministers of the two countries signed a declaration of a comprehensive cooperation framework between Syria and France aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries in several fields.

The two ministers signed a declaration of intent on the money looted by Rifaat al-Assad, and in parallel, the Elysee Palace announced in a statement that France and Syria have begun the process of returning 51 million euros to Damascus from assets confiscated from the Assad family, in a step that is one of the most prominent files included in the new understandings between the two sides, according to observers.

Strategic Partnership Announcement

The agreements included a declaration of strategic partnership in several fields, most notably maritime and air transport and logistics, the signing of a declaration of intent in the field of civil aviation, in addition to a protocol agreement to manage the circulation of airborne cargo and the marketing of air cargo services.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the health field, while the Ministry of Higher Education signed a memorandum of understanding with the French company Ellipse Projects SAS to develop Syrian university hospitals, which the Minister of Higher Education considered "a strategic step to develop medical education and university hospitals in a way that supports scientific research and clinical training, and establishes development partnerships in accordance with international standards."

Establishment of new university hospitals

Minister Al-Halabi revealed that the memorandum includes the establishment of new university hospitals in Deir Ezzor, Aleppo and Tartous, and the rehabilitation and development of university hospitals in Damascus, Aleppo and Homs, stressing that this partnership contributes to harmonizing medical education with the needs of the health system in Syria, developing infrastructure and attracting international expertise.

The Syrian-French agreements included the signing of a protocol for cooperation in the field of standard water treatment and energy solutions in Homs, as well as a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of institutional strengthening, technical support and capacity building for the Central Bank of Syria.

The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance economic cooperation and develop trade relations, in addition to an agreement with the French Development Agency and Expertise France.

Round table chaired by Sharia and Macron

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On Tuesday, Presidents Al-Sharaa and Macron chaired a roundtable meeting that included a group of industry and economic leaders and leaders of shipping and shipping fleets from Syria and France, during which joint economic committees were launched and memorandums of understanding and agreements were signed for investment in many vital fields.

During the meeting, President Al-Sharaa stressed that Syria has regained its vital role as an indispensable link in the global corridor market thanks to its strategic location that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf and Iraq, especially after international crises (such as the Strait of Hormuz crisis) proved the world's need for safe and stable corridors.

President Al-Shara cited the success of the existing partnerships, noting that the French "CMI-CGM" group, which signed the contract for the development of the port of Latakia 14 months ago with an investment of 230 million euros, decided to inject an additional 200 million euros to increase the port's capacity.

President Al-Shara announced an integrated roadmap for reconstruction in partnership with France based on a sovereign decision to build a modern investment environment governed by laws and institutions, stressing the readiness of Syrian industrial cities to be a launching pad for French factories.

Macron: We support the reconstruction file

For his part, the French president announced his country's full readiness to support reconstruction and build trust with Syria, stressing that France will be a prominent investment partner in multiple vital fields exported by the energy and banking sectors.

Macron revealed that there are extensive and joint economic committees working to support the reconstruction file in Syria in partnership with Gulf countries, pointing out that despite the challenges, there are real opportunities to build strong partnerships, stressing: "We will always be by the side of the Syrian people."