French recalibration
A conversation with Jean-Baptiste Faivre

As a leading proponent of the European strategy of “strategic patience” that defined Europe’s approach to Syria throughout the Assad era, France is now recalibrating its policy. With the lifting of sanctions and the onset of political normalisation, traditional levers of influence have weakened, and the focus has shifted toward good-faith engagement. The challenges are considerable — among them, achieving a negotiated settlement between Damascus and the AANES, with which France maintains good relations. To better understand France’s evolving role in Syria, Syria in Transition spoke with Jean-Baptiste Faivre, Chargé d’affaires at the French Embassy in Damascus.

It’s often said that sanctions against Syria targeted only the Assad regime and are therefore no longer relevant. But in reality, EU sanctions were part of the European strategy of ‘strategic patience,’ tied to the political transition outlined in UNSCR 2254 and measurable, irreversible progress toward it — not just regime change. By lifting economic sanctions without such progress, hasn’t the EU surrendered its primary leverage? What tools are France and its European partners now relying on to promote a genuine democratic transition in Syria?
Favire: France is committed to supporting the success of the Syrian transition, which represents a historic opportunity that must not be missed. This support comes from a country that is a friend of Syria and has stood alongside the Syrian people throughout the 14 years of revolution. 

In this context, lifting the economic sanctions that were preventing the country’s recovery and weighing on the Syrian people was a necessity. That is why the President of the Republic took a clear position, seeking to speed up the decision and working to convince our various partners to do the same. We are delighted that the 27 countries of the European Union have committed to this as well as the United States, after President Macron encouraged President Trump to move also forward.

But our support is also part of a frank dialogue. As the President of the Republic said, it is not a question of lecturing, but of providing support, and doing so in the interest of the Syrian people as well as their regional and international partners.

I see two objectives in particular: on the one hand, to help Syria become a country that contributes to regional and global security and stability, a country at peace that can live in good relations with its neighbours and whose neighbours also respect its sovereignty, a country committed to the fight against terrorism and trafficking, a country where refugees who left during the years of war and fear will want to return and participate in its recovery. On the other hand, as the French President said when he received his Syrian counterpart, to contribute to the construction of a new Syria that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people, a Syria that is free, stable, pluralistic, sovereign and respectful of all components of Syrian society.

This is the approach we are taking, a positive but not naive approach, in which both sides must move forward together. As the French President said, we will judge by actions. If the actions match the commitments, we will move forward. And we are hopeful that this will be the case. 

France has maintained good relations with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). Do you believe Syria’s Kurds can preserve a degree of autonomy if control over Arab-majority areas is returned to Damascus? More broadly, does France support a decentralised model for Syria?
Favire: The issue at stake in your question is the stability and unity of Syria, which concerns the integration of all Syrians into the new Syria. Syrian Kurds, like all other Syrians, must have their rightful place within Syria. The Kurds of Syria have been and remain valuable allies in the fight against terrorism, and France remains committed to this partnership, within the framework of the International Coalition against Daesh.

On 8 December, France called for the Syrian Kurds to be fully integrated into the ongoing political transition process in Syria and to be able to participate in the reconstruction of the Syrian nation. Their rights, including linguistic and cultural rights, must be recognised as those of all Syrians.

In this regard, we welcome the agreement in principle reached on 10 March between Syrian transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, commander of the SDF, and the first concrete steps taken to implement this agreement, particularly around the Tishreen Dam and in Aleppo. France will continue its efforts to facilitate dialogue between the Syrian transitional authorities and its Syrian Kurdish partners in north-eastern Syria, as it has been committed to doing since the beginning of the transition. Fundamentally, it is up to the parties to reach an agreement. But we encourage them to do so as soon as possible and in good faith, as this will be a factor of stability for Syria and its neighbours. 

Israel’s government has consistently stated that it regards the HTS-dominated authorities in Damascus as terrorists and has vowed not to tolerate them. These declarations have been matched by action, including hundreds of airstrikes on military infrastructure and ground incursions into southern Syria. How do you interpret Israel’s position? Do you see any room for a negotiated solution, or is Israel likely to continue undermining — or even escalate to major military action — to prevent a government led by Ahmad Sharaa from consolidating power and rebuilding Syria’s armed forces?
Favire: France supports respect for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is essential to ensuring a peaceful political transition and the stabilisation of the country. The fragmentation of Syria is in no one's interest.

Syria must become a centre of peace and security. We have repeatedly called on the parties to refrain from any unilateral military action in Syria that would jeopardise the stability of the entire region. This includes, in particular, the cessation of military activities in the Golan Heights. We urge Israel to end its military activities on Syrian territory and to withdraw from the separation zone established by the 1974 disengagement agreement, which is binding on both Israel and Syria. Syria and Israel must take into account their mutual security concerns. 

The new Syrian leadership has sent numerous signals of appeasement to demonstrate that Syria does not pose a threat to regional stability. The Syrian president has signald his willingness to return to compliance with the terms of the 1974 disengagement agreement. Israel and Syria have also established contacts in recent weeks to ease tensions. In this context, France is working with regional partners, notably Saudi Arabia towards a global solution which would guarantee the creation of a Palestinian state, the security of Israel and more broadly would ensure regional stability.

French companies have moved quickly to engage with Syria’s transitional government, most notably CMA CGM’s $230 million deal on March 1st to develop and operate the .port of Latakia, along with reports that Total may also be seeking to re-enter the market. What does this suggest about France’s economic interests in Syria? And what does it indicate about the current business and investment climate in the country? 
Favire: The lifting of European and then American sanctions will enable economic exchanges between France and Syria to be revived. The ties between our two countries are long-standing and deep-rooted, and French companies are ready to participate in the reconstruction of the country and the revitalisation of an economy that is currently facing many challenges. 

French companies have internationally recognised expertise to offer in many areas, and I have no doubt that agreements will soon be reached to enable them to share this expertise with Syria. There are many opportunities, particularly in the sectors of reconstruction, infrastructure, agriculture, energy and basic services, where the needs are immense. Rebuilding the country after fourteen years of bloody war will not be possible without an influx of foreign investment, which can stimulate positive economic momentum that will benefit all Syrians.

Syria's gradual reopening to the global economy paves the way for a gradual recovery in investment, particularly regional investment. Concrete measures have been taken with the upcoming reintegration into the SWIFT international banking system, the lifting of sanctions on the Syrian Central Bank and the reopening of the Damascus Stock Exchange after a six-month suspension. These signals reflect the Syrian government's willingness to create a favourable environment for capital. I have already had numerous contacts with various Syrian officials on economic issues to see how France can help. The transitional authorities' contacts with the World Bank and the IMF, which carried out its first mission in Syria since 2009, are also positive signs.  

Are there any common misconceptions about Syria’s transition or France’s current policy that you’d like to address?
Favire: France stands ready to support the Syrian authorities in a peaceful and inclusive political transition that guarantees the preservation of Syrian pluralism and the rights of all Syrians, and enables Syria to regain its unity and sovereignty. This transition must also involve building the rule of law, respecting freedoms and combating impunity for crimes committed in Syria. This primarily concerns the crimes committed by the former regime, which were beyond comprehension in their scale and cruelty. My visit to Sednaya prison and the discussions I had with victims’ and missing persons’ associations, among others, gave me the opportunity to hear some striking testimonies. It is important, of course, that justice should not only concern the past but should also prevail in the new Syria. It is to Syria’s credit to be exemplary in this regard, and there can be no lasting peace without justice. 

This is no easy task, but we have confidence in the ability of the Syrian people to meet this challenge and all the other challenges that lie ahead on the road to recovery for this beautiful country, this great land of civilisation. And we are proud to stand alongside them in this historic endeavour.